Australian injured in fatal fire at Swiss ski resort
An Australian was among those injured in the fire that killed 40 people during a New Year’s Eve party at a luxury ski resort in Switzerland.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed consular assistance was being provided to the family of the Australian who received medical care.
At least 115 people were injured in a fire at Le Constellation bar in the southwestern Swiss resort.
The cause of the fire, which was initially reported as an explosion, remains unclear, but authorities believe it was likely caused by a burning candle rather than an attack.
The Australian government is in contact with Swiss authorities to determine whether other Australians were involved.
“We stand ready to provide consular assistance,” the foreign ministry spokesman added.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the disaster as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever seen” and noted that most of the dead were young people.
“A moment of joy turned into tragedy last night in Crans-Montana, felt across the country and beyond,” he said on social media.
“The Federal Council takes note of this with deep regret. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families and offers its deepest condolences.”
Video footage verified by Reuters showed fire spreading from the building, and witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as people rushed to get out.
Local cantonal police chief Frederic Gisler said efforts were ongoing to identify the victims and inform their families and that the community was “devastated”.
He said it was too early to give detailed information about the identities of those killed and injured, but Italian officials said 16 Italians were missing and about a dozen Italians were in hospital.
Two young French women who were at the bar told France’s BFM TV that they saw the fire in the club’s basement, which started when a bottle containing “birthday candles” was held too close to the wooden ceiling.
“The fire spread very quickly through the ceiling,” one of the two women, who identified themselves as Emma and Albane, told BFM TV.
The couple said they climbed a narrow staircase to the ground floor and escaped from the building, which was engulfed in flames, within minutes.
Flowers and memories were left at the scene of the horror fire, which attracted great attention among tourists and young people.
(with Reuters)
