STORYLINE:

A survivor of the deadly fire at a ski resort bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, recounted the tragedy that killed about 40 people on New Year's Day.

The number of injured has risen to 119 and 113 of them have been identified, police said at a news conference on Friday afternoon.

"When I saw the fire start on the ceiling, I went under the bar, on the right-hand side. There's a board there, and I couldn't lift it at the time. I crawled under the board. I took a small bottle of water from the mini fridge and threw it at the ceiling," said the survivor.

The survivor confirmed that he saw what caused the fire.

"Yes, a bottle of champagne with one of the small fireworks on it set fire to the ceiling, which had insulating foam on it," he said.

At the press conference on Friday afternoon, Valais Canton Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said the sparklers attached to the champagne bottles were assumed to be one of the causes of the fire.

Swiss authorities said the death toll is expected to rise in the coming days.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin said the fire was one of the worst tragedies in the country's history.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Valais Canton, Switzerland - Jan 2, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)

1. Pedestrians, blocked bar

2. Various of candles, flowers at scene

Valais Canton, Switzerland - Jan 2, 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)

3. SOUNDBITE (French) survivor (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 4/with reporter asking question):

"When I saw the fire start on the ceiling, I went under the bar, on the right-hand side. There's a board there, and I couldn't lift it at the time. I crawled under the board. I took a small bottle of water from the mini fridge and threw it at the ceiling."

(Reporter:"Did you see what caused the fire?")

"Yes, a bottle of champagne with one of the small fireworks on it set fire to the ceiling, which had insulating foam on it."

++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++

Valais Canton, Switzerland - Jan 1, 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)

4. Police at scene of accident

++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++

Valais Canton, Switzerland - Jan 2, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)

5. Various of blocked bar, safety cordon