How the Swiss club fire tragedy unfolded | CNN

How the Swiss club fire tragedy unfolded

Nic Robertson

By Nic Robertson, CNN

Published 10:30 PM EST, Fri January 2, 2026

116112_SwissFireTimeline 16x9 Clean Thumb.jpg

How the Swiss club fire tragedy unfolded

A fire that ripped through a nightclub in the Swiss Alps early New Year's day has killed at least 40 people. Swiss authorities said that champagne sparklers were the likely cause. CNN's Nic Robertson breaks down the sequence of events that led to this tragedy.

2:31 • Source: CNN

Latest Videos 17 videos

116112_SwissFireTimeline 16x9 Clean Thumb.jpg

How the Swiss club fire tragedy unfolded

2:31

Now playing

• Source: CNN

CNN EBOF aircheck screenshot 1.9.26.jpg

Former neighbor of shooting victim Renee Good speaks to CNN: 'I would hear laughter spilling out of her house'

3:47

Now playing

• Source: CNN

CNN analyzed multiple videos of the ICE shooting in Minneapolis

Analysis of ICE agent’s cellphone footage and tactics

3:01

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Portland Police Chief explains connection between couple wounded in border patrol shooting and violent Tren de Aragua gang

0:44

Now playing

• Source: CNN

GOP lawmaker explains why he voted with Dems to restore ACA health insurance subsidies

1:50

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Alaska purchase-GettyImages-56458016.00_00_00_00.Still001.jpg

The history of US interest in Greenland

1:54

Now playing

• Source: CNN

116288_RossMNAngle thumb cln.png

ICE agent's video shows his perspective of fatal confrontation

0:37

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Trump meets with US energy execs to discuss oil in Venezuela

Trump meets with US energy execs to discuss oil in Venezuela

1:53

Now playing

• Source: CNN

thumbnail oreshnik russian missile npw 1.jpg

Exclusive: CNN looks inside an Oreshnik missile

2:04

Now playing

• Source: CNN

116277_CLEAN_WorkersBuriedByRubbish_digvid.00_00_00_00.Still001.jpg

Garbage avalanche buries landfill workers

0:47

Now playing

• Source: CNN

thumbnail ice protests across us 1.jpg

Anti-ICE protests spread across US after Minneapolis shooting

0:31

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Betsy Clip.jpg

Witness speaks out, shares new video; account of shooting at odds with Trump admin

6:16

Now playing

• Source: CNN

protest thumb3.jpg

Protesters clash with federal officers after deadly ICE shooting

3:15

Now playing

• Source: CNN

Newly obtained video shows moments leading up to deadly ICE shooting

1:28

Now playing

• Source: CNN

'What are you afraid of?': Minnesota's attorney general questions if FBI will allow an independent shooting investigation

15:54

Now playing

• Source: CNN

thumbnail salt lake city shooting 1 .jpg

Fatal shooting near Mormon church

0:30

Now playing

• Source: CNN

thumb_22260803_409.178_thumb.jpg

'They're not in compliance with the law': Rep. Massie on why a special master is needed to oversee the Epstein files

0:38

Now playing

• Source: CNN