Investigations Ongoing into Deadly Fire in Crans-Montana

Investigations and victim identification are underway following a deadly fire in a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve.

Information regarding the number of victims remains confused, with the latest reports indicating 47 deaths and 115 injuries.

The Attorney General in the canton of "Valais" stated that the identification process is being carried out as quickly as possible so that the bodies of the victims can be handed over to their families.

France counts at least 9 injured and 8 missing. From the Italian side, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, announced that 15 Italians were injured and the same number are missing.

The injured were transported to various hospitals in Lausanne, Geneva, Zurich, as well as to hospitals in France and Italy.

The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, while more than 200 people - mostly young people - were in the bar celebrating the New Year.

The causes of the fire are under investigation, with authorities ruling out the possibility of an attack. According to officials, the most likely scenario is a widespread fire caused by an explosion. At the same time, eyewitnesses claim that the fire was caused by champagne bottles with candles.

According to converging reports, the owners of the bar are a French couple from Corsica.

Last night, hundreds of people gathered at the scene of the tragedy, braving the polar cold, to pay tribute to the victims.

The flags at the Swiss Federal Palace will fly at half-mast for 5 days.