Overview
- Police say an explosion ignited a blaze at Le Constellation around 1:30 a.m. in Crans-Montana as more than 100 people celebrated New Year.
- At a morning briefing, officials said several dozen are presumed dead and about 100 are injured, many with severe burns.
- Italy’s foreign ministry said Swiss police believe roughly 40 people were killed, with some victims not yet identifiable.
- Hospitals in Valais reached capacity as 10 helicopters and about 40 ambulances moved patients to other facilities; the district remains sealed with a no-fly zone.
- Prosecutors say the case is being treated as a fire, not an attack; the cause is undetermined, with unconfirmed reports pointing to pyrotechnics; victims include foreign nationals and family helplines are open.