"Everything suggests that the fire started from the burning candles, or 'Bengal lights,' that had been attached to champagne bottles. Swiss officials say the fire claimed the lives of 40 people and more than 100 others were injured, many seriously. So severe were the burns suffered by the mostly young crowd of revellers that Swiss officials said it could take days to name all who died. The bodies of those who died have now all been removed from the bar, a Swiss official told Reuters. Swiss officials have said around 40 people were killed, while Italy has put the death toll at 47, based on information from Swiss authorities.

Source: CBC News January 02, 2026 12:45 UTC