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An Australian is among the 115 persons hurt in a inferno that engulfed a packed nightclub during a end-of-year festivities in the Alpine resort town of Crans Montana, claiming 40 lives.

Government Confirmation on National Injured Person

The Australian minister for climate and energy, Chris Bowen, announced this morning that an Australian citizen was among the injured and was getting both hospital treatment and embassy aid.

“It’s clearly a terrible, terrible tragedy and undoubtedly all Australians offer their thoughts to the people of Switzerland, the individuals affected,” the minister said during ABC RN radio.

He further stated, “It can be confirmed an Australian national was injured and is receiving medical care and the family is receiving support, assistance from the Australian embassy. I can’t go into any further details for confidentiality obligations. The person's identity is not being disclosed at this point.”

Department Assistance and Ongoing Inquiries

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated this morning it was giving consular help to the injured person and their family.

A department representative said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian that has been wounded and is in care following the fire. Owing to our privacy obligations we are not in a position to give more details.”

The representative further stated, “Dfat is making urgent inquiries with authorities on the ground to determine whether any additional Australians were affected. Our team is ready to give consular help.”

Scope of Consular Assistance

Consular assistance can include:

• Contacting or going to local hospitals.
• Liaising with local authorities.
• Provision of lists of medical providers.
• Support for reaching out to next of kin.

Details of the Blaze

Swiss police said the fire started at about 1.30am, local time, in a bar popular with tourists called the Constellation, which is situated in the heart of the resort in Valais.

Footage from the event depicts orange fire raging from inside the first-floor establishment. Screams and loud music can be heard, and multiple persons were witnessed lying outside the building.

A number of those who perished in the inferno remain unidentified yet due to the severity of their burns.

Investigation into the Fire's Origin

Investigators stated arson was not responsible for the inferno, which is considered to be the result of an accident.

Advice for Concerned Australians

Australians concerned about loved ones potentially affected in the fire were told to phone the DFAT round-the-clock consular emergency line on the number 1300 555 135.