At least 40 people have been killed after a powerful explosion ripped through a bar at a luxury ski resort in Switzerland, foreign media reported.
According to Swiss police, the blast occurred at a bar in the upscale Crans-Montana ski resort, triggering a massive fire inside the premises.
Police officials told an international news agency that several people were killed and injured in the incident, though they initially refrained from confirming exact casualty figures or the cause of the explosion.
Later, Italy’s foreign ministry, citing Swiss police, said that around 40 people were killed in the blast. The Swiss police commissioner also confirmed that nearly 100 people were injured in the ensuing fire, with many reported to be in critical condition.
Swiss authorities said some of the victims were foreign nationals, adding that the incident is not being treated as a terrorist attack.
Police said the explosion occurred at around 1:30 am between Wednesday and Thursday night, at a time when a large number of people were gathered at the bar to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the popular ski resort.