The devastating fire took place during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

 

Close up screen grab of Dawn Neesom and Sam Francis looking serious presenting GB News

Dawn Neesom and Sam Francis halted GB News Breakfast for breaking news (Image: GB News)

GB News Breakfast was halted to bring viewers live footage from a press conference in Switzerland, where police were giving an update after a major fire broke out at the Le Constellation Bar and Lounge in Crans-Montana. Hosts Dawn Neesom and Sam Francis cut to the clip and explained what was happening.

“Let’s just take you live now to pictures coming to us from Switzerland, where police are giving a press conference following that tragic news on New Year’s Day today, following a fire that appears to have taken place at a bar at a Swiss ski resort,” Francis said. “It is in French, so at this moment, we don’t have an interpretation, but lines are coming into us from that press conference, bringing just some comments from one of the state councillors, who has said that the area has been she says, struck by a terrible tragedy with emergency services out in force, working courageously, and that hospitals across the country, the entire country, are dealing with an influx of injured people. Is also asking all those in the area to avoid any risky activities, and thanking the emergency services on behalf of all of Switzerland,” he said.

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Neesom interjected: “Just to recap, several people have been killed by a fire and a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

“We don’t know the precise number yet. We are expecting to hear more details on that in the press conference currently taking place.

“The fire began at about 1.30 local time, about half past midnight in UK, in a bar called Le Constellation. The cause is not known, although police initially said there had been an explosion; local reports say there may have been fireworks involved.

“That conference is ongoing now, we will be bringing you updates as when we get them, because we do understand a lot of people, obviously, with friends and family out there on holiday at the moment.”

Mathias Reynard, State Councillor and president of the Council of State of the Canton of Valais, Stephane Ganzer, State Councillor and head of the Dep

Officials held a press conference to give an update on the Swiss new year’s eve nightclub fire (Image: Keystone/AP)

At least 10 people have died in the blaze, which began during the New Year’s Eve festivities. Social media footage shows massive clouds of smoke filling the sky following the incident.

Police confirmed they have ruled out the possibility that it was a terror attack. The area has now been closed off, with a no-fly zone in place over Crans-Montana.

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.”

The president of the state council, Mathias Renard, said 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances responded to the fire. The Valais hospital intensive care unit is now full, and patients are being transferred elsewhere.