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“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is urgently reaching out to local authorities to ascertain if any other Australians were affected. We are prepared to offer consular support,” a spokesperson stated.
Officials have reported that the fire has claimed approximately 40 lives. Source: AFP / Maxime Schmid
Newly appointed Swiss President Guy Parmelin addressed the media, describing the blaze as “one of the most devastating tragedies our nation has endured.”
“Amidst the chaos, people were seen running through the flames, some even using chairs in desperate attempts to smash the windows,” Parmelin added.
The emergency unit at the main hospital in the Wallis was full, with the injured being transported to various hospitals across Switzerland.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin (centre) said the fire was “one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced”. Source: AFP / Alessandro Della Valle
More than a dozen victims had been transported to the Zurich University Hospital in northern Switzerland, while at least 22 people suffering from serious burns had been taken to the main hospital in Lausanne, and six had been taken to Geneva, Switzerland’s Keystone-ATS news agency reported.
The European Union said it has been in contact with Swiss authorities about providing medical assistance.
Victims come from several countries
Le Constellation has a capacity of 300 people, plus an additional 40 on its terrace, according to the Crans-Montana website.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire at Le Constellation bar. Source: AFP / Maxime Schmid
The bar is owned by a French couple, according to a local business registry and friends of the owners.
Wallis’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, said significant resources were being mobilised “to identify the victims and return their bodies as quickly as possible to the families”.
