🔗 Share this article

An Australian is among the 115 people injured in a blaze that ripped through a packed nightclub during a New Year’s Eve party in the Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana, which resulted in 40 fatalities.

Ministerial Confirmation on Australian Injured Person

Australia’s climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, announced this morning that an Australian national was hurt and was receiving medical and consular assistance.

“It is plainly a dreadful, dreadful disaster and I am confident every Australian extends their sympathies to the nation of Switzerland, the people involved,” Bowen told ABC RN radio.

He added, “I can confirm that one Australian has been injured and is getting medical attention and the family is being assisted, Australian consular support. Further details cannot be shared for privacy reasons. The name of the individual is not being released at this point.”

Diplomatic Assistance and Continued Efforts

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade verified early Friday it was giving consular help to the affected individual and their relatives.

A department representative said: “DFAT is currently offering consular support to the relatives of an Australian national that has been injured and is receiving medical care following the fire. Because of our privacy commitments we are prevented from commenting further.”

The official continued, “Dfat is making urgent inquiries with local authorities to ascertain if any other Australians were impacted. Our team is ready to give consular help.”

Scope of Consular Assistance

Such support may involve:

• Contacting or going to medical facilities.
• Working with officials on site.
• Provision of lists of medical providers.
• Help in contacting relatives.

Details of the Tragic Fire

Swiss police said the fire started at about 1.30am, local time, in a tavern favored by holidaymakers called Le Constellation bar, which is located in the centre of the resort in Valais.

Footage from the event reveals fierce orange flames from inside the first-floor establishment. Cries and blaring music are audible, and multiple persons were witnessed lying outside the building.

Some people who died in the inferno remain unidentified yet due to the severity of their burns.

Investigation into the Blaze's Cause

Swiss police said the fire was not deliberately set for the inferno, which is considered to be the result of an accident.

Information for Worried Relatives

Australians concerned about family members who may have been caught up in the fire were told to phone the DFAT round-the-clock consular emergency line on 1300-555-135.