The search for victims of a Swiss ski resort fire that killed around 40 people is continuing as families have been warned they could face an agonising wait before receiving official confirmation.
Swiss police confirmed that around 40 people have died, with 115 more suffering injuries from the fire at Le Constellation Bar and Lounge in Crans-Montana after the deadly blaze broke out at the height of their New Year’s Eve celebrations at 1.30am.
Social media footage shows massive clouds of smoke filling the sky following the incident, which occurred at 1.30am local time.
Earlier, police spokesperson Gaetan Lathion said: “We are seeing many injured and many dead. We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists.”
Identifying the victims has also caused problems for police, as officials now warn that families could have to wait weeks before receiving the news.
Regional governor Mathias Reynard said last night: “We are painfully aware that identifying the bodies, as well as the injured, may still take a terribly long time for the families involved.”
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