Major emergency response after several killed in fire at New Year’s party at Swiss ski resort bar

A major emergency response is underway after several people were killed and others injured after a fire broke out during New Year’s celebrations at a bar in Swiss Alps, police said early Thursday.

The fire started around 1:30 a.m. this morning in a bar called ‘Le Constellation,’ in the Alpine ski resort municipality of Crans-Montana, police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion told The Associated Press.

“More than a hundred people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead,” he said, adding, “We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is a internationally renown ski resort with lots of tourists.”

In separate statement, police from the Valaisanne canton, or region, said a “major emergency response” was underway and a no-fly zone had been imposed over Crans-Montana.

“Numerous emergency personnel from the police, fire brigade and rescue services immediately responded to provide assistance to the many affected individuals,” the statement said. A reception center and helpline have been setup for impacted families, the statement added.

Crans-Montana is a luxury ski resort town in the region of Valais approximately two hours from the Swiss capital of Bern.

Police said that no further information will be released before a news conference that is scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in Crans-Montana. The community is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 25 miles north of the Matterhorn.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.