Deadly blast rocks Swiss ski resort, killing several and injuring dozens
A powerful morning explosion in Verbier, Switzerland, leaves six dead and more than 20 injured, shaking the alpine resort days before peak ski season.
Deadly blast rocks Swiss ski resort, killing several and injuring dozens
By Elena Vance
What we know so far
At least six people have died and more than 20 others were injured after a powerful explosion tore through a three-storey apartment block in the heart of the Swiss Alps resort town of Verbier shortly after 7 a.m. on Tuesday, authorities confirmed.
Scene of devastation
Residents described being jolted awake by what felt like an earthquake, followed by a roar that shattered windows across the Rue de Médran. Photographs from the scene show the building’s façade sheared away, exposing scorched living rooms and dangling staircases. Debris carpeted the snow-covered street, mixing with Christmas lights still strung from last month.
“I opened the curtains and saw flames shooting into the sky,” said ski instructor Camille Rousseau, who lives opposite the blast site. “People were screaming. We ran out with blankets and tried to help, but the heat was unbearable.”
Emergency response
More than 120 firefighters, alpine rescue teams and police officers raced to the scene, battling sub-zero temperatures that froze water hoses within minutes. Helicopters airlifted the critically injured to hospitals in Sion and Lausanne, while rescue dogs combed the rubble for survivors.
Investigation begins
Swiss investigators have not ruled out a suspected gas leak, though forensic teams stressed it was too early to determine the exact cause. Utility company Gaznat confirmed technicians had been called to the building the previous evening after residents reported a strong odour, but no fault was detected before crews left at 10 p.m.
Community in shock
Verbier, renowned for its pistes and après-ski nightlife, attracts thousands of British, Dutch and French tourists each winter. The blast occurred just days before the peak season, leaving hoteliers grappling with cancellations and local businesses shuttered.
“This is a small town; everyone knows someone in that block,” said Mayor Éric Maggiori, voice cracking. “We are heartbroken.”
What happens next
- A national day of mourning has been declared for Friday.
- A fund for victims’ families has already raised 1.2 million Swiss francs.
- Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal probe into possible negligence.
Authorities urged tourists to avoid the area while structural engineers assess neighbouring buildings. Ski lifts remain open, but access roads to the blast zone are sealed indefinitely.