Not the happiest news to ring in 2026...
Swiss officials have not indicated how many are dead, but the estimate is around 40 as of Thursday morning.
Hundreds of people were packed into a bar called "Le Constellation" in the resort town of Crans-Montana to celebrate the New Year. According to reports, the fire was started by a woman who was waving around a lit firework while she sat perched on someone's shoulders.
A witness named Victoria told French outlet BFMTV:
It was firework candles inside a champagne bottle that caused the explosion. The entire ceiling of the bar caught fire.
Within moments, it became difficult to breathe as people raced for the exits.
[Warning: Distressing Video]
Many of the dead and injured are reportedly teenagers.
Here is video showing how such fireworks are fitted around the neck of wine bottles:
More from the scene:
Over 40 ambulances responded after the fire.
More from the BBC:
...more than 100 injured people have been transported to hospitals across Switzerland.
The director of Lausanne University Hospital says they've taken charge of 22 people so far.
Claire Charmet tells Swiss newspaper 24 Heures the patients, aged 16 to 26 on average, are "the most serious cases".
'The advanced medical post in Crans has been cleared of the most critical cases,' Charmet says, adding less critically injured patients could also be transported to Lausanne later.
Of the most severe cases, Charmet says recovery will be 'a long and intensive process, lasting several weeks, perhaps even months'.
What a way to start the new year. 😔
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