At least 40 dead, 115 ⁠injured in Switzerland resort fire

Swiss police said ​on Thursday that several ‌people ⁠had ‌died and others were injured due to ​a fire of unknown causes at ‌a ‌bar called "Le Constellation" in ⁠the ski resort of Crans-Montana in ⁠southwestern ⁠Switzerland.

Frédéric Gisler, the commander of the Valais cantonal police confirmed that at least ​40 people perished in the fire and ‌100 others ⁠injured during a New Year's Eve party ​in the resort town.

"We count around 40 people who have died and around 115 injured, most of them seriously," Gisler, told reporters, as Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the fire as "one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced".

Earlier, the authorities had ruled out 'arson' as the cause behind the blaze

The victims ‍could not be immediately identified because of the severity of their burns, the ministry ​added. 

Beatrice Pilloud, Valais Canton attorney general, said it was too early to determine the cause of the fire. Experts have not yet been able to go inside the wreckage.

“At no moment is there a question of any kind of attack,” Pilloud said.