Several people are reported to have been killed and many others injured following a powerful explosion at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, authorities have confirmed.

The blast occurred at Le Constellation, a well-known bar located in the luxury alpine resort in Switzerland’s Wallis canton, roughly two hours from the capital Bern. According to Swiss police, more than 100 people were inside the venue at the time of the explosion, which happened at around 1:30 a.m. local time as New Year celebrations were still ongoing (Source: BBC News).

Gaetan Lathion, a spokesperson for cantonal police in Wallis, told Agence France-Presse that emergency services were faced with a large-scale casualty situation. “More than a hundred people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead,” he said, adding that the exact number of fatalities could not yet be confirmed (Source: AFP).

Police have stressed that the cause of the explosion remains unknown. Investigators are examining several possibilities, but officials have cautioned against speculation while forensic teams continue their work at the scene. “We are just at the beginning of our investigation,” Lathion said, noting that Crans-Montana is an internationally renowned ski destination that attracts large numbers of tourists, particularly during the holiday season (Source: Reuters).

Unverified videos circulating on social media appear to show flames burning inside the bar shortly after the explosion, while images from the area show multiple ambulances and fire engines responding to the incident. Authorities have since secured the site, closed off surrounding streets, and imposed a temporary no-fly zone over the resort to allow emergency operations to proceed safely (Source: BBC News).

When asked by BBC News how many people had lost their lives, a police spokesperson said only that “several” fatalities had been confirmed, emphasizing that identification efforts were still underway. A reception centre and helpline have been established for relatives and friends seeking information about those who may have been affected by the blast (Source: BBC News).

BBC reporter Silvia Costeloe, who is at the scene, said police quickly set up a cordon and erected white screens to conduct forensic examinations. Witnesses told her they heard a loud explosion followed by the sound of sirens for hours afterward. “The bar where the fire happened is a real institution here,” Costeloe reported, adding that it has been a popular nightlife spot in Crans-Montana for decades.

Le Constellation is known as a large, lively venue popular with younger crowds, local residents, and visitors from nearby valleys, particularly during peak ski season. Authorities have announced that a news conference will be held early on New Year’s Day to provide further updates as more information becomes available.