‘Several’ killed after explosion at Swiss ski resort bar during New Year celebrations

Several people have died in an explosion and fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

As party-goers packed the Le Constellation for New Year’s Eve celebrations, a blast tore open the basement at 1.30am local time.

The fire resulted in numerous injuries, the police said, with Swiss outlet Le Nouvelliste reporting nearly a hundred injured and around 40 dead.

Footage on social media, seemingly taken from the road outside the bar, shows flames inside the building.

The cause of the blast is unclear and criminal activity is not suspected, according to the French-language Swiss broadcaster RTS.

The number of people at the bar at the time is also unknown, but the venue can accommodate up to 400 people.

Swiss police have closed the area around the bar to the public and a no-fly zone is in force.

Crans Montana is a holiday resort in Valais popular with British tourists. 

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