An explosion is said to have killed at least forty people. Although there have been 100 injuries, the number may increase. Because of such extensive burns, several individuals cannot be identified.
During the New Year’s festivities, the Le Constellation pub, a well-liked tourist hotspot, was completely destroyed by the explosion. Participating in the rescue operation is a crew from the Aosta Valley Mountain Rescue Service.
There are currently twelve or fifteen Italians in hospitals. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated in Italian media that “the families have contacted the crisis unit and the embassy” to enquire about the whereabouts of their relatives.
The ambassador told Rai News 24 that “an explosion caused by a firecracker fired onto the false ceiling” of the building was what started the fire.
According to two young French women speaking to the all-news TV station BFM, the flames that devastated the bar apparently started from lit candles on champagne bottles, which set fire to the wooden ceiling. “One of the candles was held too close to the ceiling, and it caught fire. Within a few dozen seconds, the entire ceiling was ablaze. It was all made of wood ,” the two women, Emma and Albane, said.
The Farnesina announced that to provide assistance to the relatives of the explosion victims, in addition to the unit with officials from the Crisis Unit and the Unit for the Protection of Italians Abroad in Rome, a collection point for family members is operating in the ‘Le Regent’ conference center in the Swiss city.
The Swiss cantonal police have also set up a helpline at +41 848 112117, which can also be reached from Italy.
Additionally, police affirmed that the event is not being investigated as a terrorist strike.
According to Swiss police, several of the explosion’s casualties are foreign nationals. Following the authorities’ news conference in Crans-Montana, this was reported by Sky News. Police characterised the area as a “internationally renowned ski resort with many tourists,” although they could not specify which nations were present.
In the town, the pub is a well-liked tourist destination. According to Swiss media site Blick, which cited police, there were over a hundred people there at the time of the event.
About 200 kilometres to the south of Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is Crans-Montana.
