Dozens feared dead after fire sweeps through Swiss ski resort bar

Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 more were seriously injured after a fire broke out during New Year’s celebrations at a bar in the Swiss Alps, authorities in the country said Thursday.“Several tens of people” were presumed killed at the bar called Le Constellation in the Alpine ski resort municipality of Crans-Montana, Valais canton police commander Frédéric Gisler said at a news conference

Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 more were seriously injured after a fire broke out during New Year’s celebrations at a bar in the Swiss Alps, authorities in the country said Thursday.

“Several tens of people” were presumed killed at the bar called Le Constellation in the Alpine ski resort municipality of Crans-Montana, Valais canton police commander Frédéric Gisler said at a news conference.

Work was underway to identify the victims and inform their families, Gisler said. “That will take time,” he said, adding that it was not possible to give a precise number of dead.

NBC News verified footage posted to social media that showed the building ablaze, with thick smoke billowing into the air as crowds gathered around and some people ran toward the scene. Screaming could be heard in the background.

People embrace near the site of the fire.Denis Balibouse / ReutersAnother video posted to TikTok showed emergency services on scene in the aftermath of the blaze and the area sealed off with police tape.