Swiss authorities say dozens of people have died in an overnight fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
A fire at a Swiss ski resort overnight killed dozens of people and injured more than a hundred. Teri Schultz reports authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire.
TERI SCHULTZ: Swiss authorities say it's too early to say what caused the fire that broke out around 1:30 a.m. at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in the heart of the Alps. But they stress they can now confirm that it was not the result of an attack and that early reports that it was caused by an explosion were incorrect. At a news conference, council president Mathias Reynard thanked what he said was the quick and comprehensive response of police, fire and emergency services.
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MATHIAS REYNARD: (Through translator) It was a mobilization of all our resources that happened in the last hours – 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances, 150 medical workers, to whom we must pay tribute and thank.
SCHULTZ: Reynard said most of the hundred or so people injured were seriously injured and that the local hospital was filled to capacity. According to him, many of the wounded have already been transferred to nearby facilities. The victims are believed to be from different nationalities. District Attorney Beatrice Pilloud declined to comment on whether the bar had proper fire safety measures in place. She said she would not say more at this stage out of respect for the victims and their families.
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BEATRICE PILLOU: (Through interpreter) We are going to do absolutely everything possible on the part of the prosecutor's office to uncover the circumstances of this tragedy.
SCHULTZ: Pillud says significant forensic resources are being devoted to the investigation and that the area will now be closed, possibly for several days, so work can continue. Council President Raynard says there are important ways the public can help during this critical time by simply being careful.
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REYNARD: (Through interpreter) If the population wants to show solidarity and do good today, you have to be careful in the hours to come. Our resources in our hospitals are overused.
SCHULTZ: He urged them not to add to the tragedy that had already occurred.
For NPR News, I'm Teri Schultz.
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