Several dozen dead in New Year’s Eve fire at Swiss resort

It followed an explosion at a ski resort bar in Switzerland

Swiss authorities stated that the incident was caused by a fire and have ruled out any possibility of an attack.

Earlier reports from the Swiss news outlet Blick suggested that the fire may have been caused by pyrotechnics used during a concert.

The authorities have also since said that some of the victims are from other countries.

An explanation of exact nationalities is yet to be released, but police describe the location as an "internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists", per Sky News.

Frederic Gisler, police commander in the Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland, says "100 or so" people have been injured after the fire at Le Constellation bar in Switzerland, the majority of whom are "seriously injured".

He went on to say that “several dozen” people had died, but did not provide any specific figures.

Gisler said that smoke was first detected coming from the bar at around 1:30 a.m. local time (12:30 a.m. UK time).

He added that emergency services were alerted by a third party at the same time, leading to the fire service being deployed.

As the Swiss police news conference is now under way.

The president of the state council Mathias Renard starts off by sharing his condolences with families of those who have passed away.

"We are also extending our thoughts to those who are injured, in many cases seriously," he says.

"In these dramatic circumstances, we need to thank everybody in the emergency services."

He confirmed that he would provide an update on the condition of those affected later in the news conference.