Photo: ReutersSwiss investigators believe sparkling flares in Champagne bottles ignited the fatal fire at a ski resort when they came too close to a crowded bar's ceiling. Officials said on Friday that 40 people were killed and another 119 injured in the blaze at the bar in Crans-Montana while revellers were celebrating New Year's Eve. His uncle Sebastiano Galeppini told Italian news agency ANSA that their family are awaiting the DNA checks, though the Italian Golf Federation on its website announced that he had died. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said 13 Italian citizens were injured and six remained missing by midday Friday. Three of the wounded were being transported from Switzerland to a Milan hospital, the Italian civil protection agency said.

Source: Irish Independent January 02, 2026 15:49 UTC