At least around 40 people are feared dead and more than 100 others injured after a massive fire broke out during New Year celebrations at a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss authorities said on Thursday. Most of the injured are reported to be in serious condition.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight at a popular tourist bar called Le Constellation in southwestern Switzerland’s Valais (Wallis) canton. According to police, the fire broke out at around 1:30 a.m. local time during a New Year’s Eve party attended by nearly 100 people. The bar has an indoor capacity of around 300 people, with additional space on its terrace.

In an official statement, police described the situation as extremely serious. “Several people lost their lives and others were injured,” the statement said, adding that “a major emergency response is underway.” Authorities further stated, “A large contingent of police, firefighters, and rescue workers immediately went to the scene to assist the numerous victims,” and confirmed that “the operation is still ongoing.”

Police initially described the incident as a “fire of undetermined origin.” Speaking to AFP, police spokesman Gaetan Lathion said there was an “explosion of unknown origin” before the fire erupted. Swiss prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud later clarified at a press conference, “At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack,” adding that authorities have opened a full investigation.

Valais canton security chief Stephane Ganzer said that some of the victims were foreign nationals. Valais police chief Frederic Gisler confirmed that a helpline has been opened for relatives of the victims. “I can’t hide from you that we are all shaken by what happened overnight in Crans,” Gisler told reporters. He added, “Our count is about 100 injured, most seriously, and unfortunately, tens of people are presumed dead.” While Swiss police stopped short of confirming an exact death toll, the Italian foreign ministry said information from Swiss authorities suggested around 40 fatalities.

Emergency services responded on a massive scale. Authorities deployed 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances, and the injured were transported to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich. Police said many victims were being treated for severe burns. The area around the bar was completely sealed off, and a no-fly zone was imposed over Crans-Montana.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos. A tourist from New York who witnessed the fire told AFP that he saw bright orange flames bursting out of the bar, with people running and screaming as the fire spread rapidly. Broken windows were visible hours later, and ambulances remained parked outside the venue well into the morning. Local media also reported a strong smell of burning lingering in the air.

Swiss media outlet Blick quoted a doctor at the scene who suggested the death toll could reach “dozens.” Another regional newspaper, Le Nouvelliste, cited sources estimating around 40 people dead and nearly 100 injured, describing the incident as having a “heavy toll.”

Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin expressed condolences, saying on X, “What was meant to be a moment of joy turned, on the first day of the year in Crans-Montana, into mourning that touches the entire country and far beyond.”

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani suggested that fireworks may have caused the fire, telling Italy’s Sky TG24 channel, “It seems to have been an accident caused by a fire, by some explosion, by some firecracker thrown during New Year's celebrations.”

Authorities said forensic teams are working to identify victims. Prosecutor Pilloud stated, “A lot of resources have been put into forensics to identify the victims. These resources are intended to allow us to get the bodies to the families as soon as possible.” Investigations and rescue operations are continuing.