The fire spread very quickly, he said, causing panic and a stampede as revellers tried to get out of the building.
A local doctor told RTS (Swiss radio and television) that many of the injured had severe burns.
Air Glaciers, assisted by Rega (Swiss Air Rescue) and an Italian helicopter, were transferring the injured to various hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland.
A reception centre and helpline had been set up for impacted families, Lathion said.
“We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists,” Lathion said.
A news conference was scheduled by police for 10am in Crans-Montana (8pm AEDT).
Police officers at the scene.Credit: AP
Hospitals in western Switzerland were reported to be under severe stress as a result of the tragedy.
The community is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 40 kilometres north of the Matterhorn and 170 kilometres east of Geneva.
Crans-Montana is a popular ski and hiking area and regularly hosts World Cup races. The highest point of Crans-Montana, with a population of 10,000 residents, sits at an elevation of nearly 3000 metres.
The tragedy comes at a notoriously busy period time for Swiss hospitals as the seasonal flu combines with winter holiday accidents to put pressure on the system.
Local media were reporting a call for the public to avoid taking risks on New Year’s Day out of solidarity for the victims and to avoid further burdening hospitals.
AP, Reuters
