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Swiss New Year's Blaze Kills Dozens
1 Jan
Summary
- A New Year's Eve fire at a Crans-Montana bar claimed several dozen lives.
- Around 100 people were injured, many seriously, overwhelming local hospitals.
- The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, with no evidence of an explosion or attack.
A tragic fire erupted at a bar in Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, claiming the lives of several dozen individuals and leaving approximately 100 others injured. The blaze overwhelmed emergency services, necessitating a large-scale deployment of 150 responders and 10 helicopters. Hospitals in the Valais canton are at full capacity, with severely injured patients transferred to facilities nationwide.
Investigations into the fire's origin are underway, supported by the Zurich Forensic Institute. Authorities have stated that preliminary findings indicate no explosion occurred and ruled out any possibility of a terrorist attack. Efforts are also focused on identifying the victims, with a collection point established for grieving family members.
The incident prompted international condolences, with Italy reporting around 40 deaths and France confirming two injured citizens. Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed deep sorrow, calling it a tragedy that has affected the entire country and beyond.
