The incident occurred at around 1.30am local time (00:30am GMT) this morning (January 1), in Le Constellation bar in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana.
Many more have also been injured following the fire.
The town is popular with British tourists, with many celebrating the New Year at the time.
Switzerland ski resort bar fire sees ‘several dozens killed’
The cause of the fire is not known; however, police believe that there had been an explosion at the Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.
The luxury ski resort is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, about two hours from the Swiss capital of Bern and just 25 miles north of the Matterhorn.
A reception centre and helpline have been set-up for impacted families, and a news conference has been scheduled by police for 10am in Crans-Montana.
Local news outlets have reported that more than 100 people were in the bar at the time of the explosion.
The area remains cordoned off as a result of the incident.
In a news conference from Swiss authorities this morning, police have confirmed that “several dozens” of people are presumed dead, with more than 100 injured.
Beatrice Pilloud, prosecutor-general, Valais canton, has also said that an investigation is underway “to identify the circumstances which caused this dramatic situation to occur”.
She said that police are “favouring a fire and at no time is there question of any attack” and that “out of respect for the families, she cannot say more at this time”.
There is also work ongoing to identify the victims and return bodies to families as quickly as possible.
“To do that, there is significant work which needs to be carried out,” she said.
“And this significant work will require the closure of the district.”
