Massive explosion on New Year's Eve kills about 40 in Switzerland's ski resort

A devastating fire at the Le Constellation Bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has left dozens presumed dead and over 100 injured during New Year's Eve celebrations. The blaze broke out around 1:30 am on Thursday as revellers were ringing in the new year. While Swiss authorities are still investigating the exact scale of the tragedy, the Italian Foreign Ministry suggested that the death toll could be as high as 40.

The bar was packed with more than 100 people when the fire started, most of whom are believed to be international tourists visiting the renowned Alpine destination for the holiday season. The region's head of security confirmed that "several dozen" people likely perished in the inferno. Local media reports and witnesses described a "heavy toll," with hospitals in the vicinity struggling to cope with the sudden influx of over a hundred injured victims.

Swiss police have officially clarified that the incident was not a terrorist attack. However, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The police spokesperson noted that casualties include people of several different nationalities, though specific details are yet to be released. The fire has sent shockwaves through the internationally renowned resort, which is usually a hub for high-profile winter sports and luxury tourism.