Some 40 people died and around 100 others were injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during a New Year's Eve party in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, Swiss police said on Thursday.
The blast occurred at 1:30 a.m. in a bar called the Constellation, police said in a statement.
Swiss officials determined the event was not an attack, saying the explosion was caused by a fire and was not intentional.
Police declined to confirm the number, but said many people were being treated for burns.
No-fly zone imposed over area
The area has been completely closed off, and a no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana, police said.
More than 100 people were in the bar at the time of the explosion, police said.
"We are in contact with the local Jewish community," the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG) told The Jerusalem Post. "The synagogue is not located in the same building, but 150 meters away on the main road."
"At this time, the local authorities do not believe that an attack took place, and there is no information available at the moment about possible Jewish victims."
Herzog calls Swiss president, offers Israeli assistance
President Isaac Herzog called his Swiss counterpart, Guy Parmelin, and offered condolences, along with Israeli assistance, the Government Press Office confirmed.
Herzog noted that Israel has experience and advanced capabilities in locating and identifying fire victims and treating burn victims. Parmelin offered his thanks and noted that the Swiss Foreign Ministry has been instructed to remain in contact with Israel's embassy if required.
ZAKA teams are en route to the scene in the event that there are Jewish victims.
"Teams from ZAKA’s International Unit who are based in the region are now making their way to the scene to assist in locating the missing persons and with any required response, in coordination with local authorities and the Jewish community," a ZAKA spokesperson said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar offered his condolences to those affected by the explosion in a post on X/Twitter on Thursday evening, saying he was "deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic disaster in Crans-Montana."
"Israel stands ready to offer any assistance to Switzerland in responding to this disaster," the post concluded, tagging his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis.
James Genn and Reuters contributed to this report.