Around a hundred people are also estimated to be injured, several of them seriously. The work of identifying the dead is ongoing, the police said at a press conference. Because there are so many injured, several have had to be taken to other places in the country, including Zurich and Geneva.
Rescue operations are still ongoing, police said in a press release at 8:30 a.m.
What caused the explosion is not yet known.
"An explosion has occurred for unknown reasons," police spokesman Gaëtan Lathion told AFP.
Police: Not a terrorist act
Gaëtan Lathion emphasized that the police investigation is still at an early stage.
"This is an internationally known ski resort with many tourists," he told AP.
The police also said that the area has been completely closed off to the public and that there is a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana.
The explosion and subsequent fire occurred at 1:30 a.m. in the Le Constellation bar, a popular meeting place for many tourists at this time of year. More than 100 people, many young people, were reportedly in the bar when the fire broke out, police confirmed to Sky News. Police also confirmed to Sky News that it was not a terrorist attack.
Crans-Montana is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, 40 kilometers north of the Matterhorn.
Many suffered burns
Pictures in Swiss media show the building on fire. Hospitals are full of people with serious burns, a health-care source told public broadcaster RTS.
Rescue services and ambulance personnel are on site to care for the injured, reported Tribune de Genève.
TT has contacted the Foreign Ministry for information about any injured Swedes.
