King Charles sends message of support to victims of Swiss Alps resort blaze: 'Appalled and greatly saddened'

"It is utterly heartbreaking that a night of celebration for young people and families instead turned to such nightmarish tragedy."

The monarch continued: "While offering our admiration for the heroic first responders and the selfless emergency services, we wanted, above all, to convey our deepest possible sympathy to all those who have been so dreadfully affected by this horrific disaster.

"Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of all those who have so tragically lost their lives and with those who remain in a critical condition in hospital."

Around 40 people are believed to have died after a fire broke out in a bar at a popular Swiss ski resort.

The incident occurred at 1:30am local time, just as individuals were ringing in the New Year at the Le Constellation bar.

Swiss outlet Blick reports the blaze may have begun when fireworks were let off inside during a concert.

Police believe around 40 people died and around 100 were injured in the incident, the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It noted the victims could not be immediately identified due to the severity of their burns.

Some of the victims are from other countries, local security chiefs said.

Authorities said 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances were sent to the scene.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin called the fire at Crans-Montana "one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced".

President Parmelin confirmed that most of the deceased were youths, and flags would be flown at half-mast for five days across Switzerland.

He told a press conference: "This event took place in a place that is dedicated to life and joy... what an incredible and dreadful contrast."

Valais Canton police commander, Frederic Gisler, told the conference: "Right now, we have around 40 people who have lost their lives and around 100 people who are injured, many of them very seriously."

Images and videos posted on social media showed a ceiling catching fire after a "waiter held up sparkler in champagne bottle".

Asked if bottles containing sparklers were used in the bar, Valais Canton Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said she was not in a position to confirm.

Nearby, local resident Samuel Rapp, 21, was dining at a nearby restaurant when he heard of the blaze and rushed with his girlfriend to the bar.

He said: "Police and paramedics...had already set up a protective perimeter. There were people screaming, and then people lying on the ground, probably dead. They had jackets over their faces."

Head of Security in the Valais canton, Stephane Ganzer, confirmed no one has been arrested.

He added the fire was an "accident" that produced explosions in blasts, stressing explosions did not cause the fire.

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