Swiss investigators race to identify victims after 40 killed in resort bar fire | First Thing

Blaze that swept through crowded New Year's Eve bar in Crans-Montana also injured 115 people. Plus, the politicians and advocates making climate policy part of the affordability agenda

Good morning.

Swiss investigators are racing to identify the victims of a fire that tore through a crowded bar, killing about 40 people and injuring 115 who were celebrating at a New Year's Eve party in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana.

How did the fire start? The fire broke out at 1.30am on Thursday in the town's Le Constellation bar, but it's not yet clear what set off the blaze. Some witnesses said it started after sparklers or flares were put into champagne bottles.

How long will it take to identify the dead? Swiss police have warned it could take days or even weeks, leaving an agonising wait for family and friends.

What else did he say? Mamdani did not shy away from his socialist politics. I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist. I will not abandon my principles for fear of being called radical," he said to loud cheers from the gathered crowd. He ended by saying: The work has only just begun."