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.
Survivor recalls harrowing moments of Swiss bar fire
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that the issue of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is a spillover effect of the current conflicts, noting the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable if the war doesn't end.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
The Saudi Arabian foreign minister briefed Wang on the latest developments of the Middle East situation, saying the war in Iran has caused severe impacts on countries in the region and the world at large.
Saudi Arabia attaches importance to China's important role in international affairs, and values high-level strategic cooperation with China, he said, adding that the kingdom is ready to further enhance consultation and coordination with China on platforms including the United Nations, to jointly push for the de-escalation of the situation and an end to the conflict.
Wang noted that the prolonged war in Iran, which has lasted for over a month, has caused enormous casualties and losses, and undermined the security and stability of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, over which China expressed concerns.
Wang said China and Pakistan recently jointly issued a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region, which includes safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the Gulf states, stopping attacks on civilians and non-military targets, and ensuring the security of shipping lanes.
Wang said the top priority is to focus on cessation of hostilities. Actions by the UN Security Council should avoid escalating confrontations and should not legitimize unauthorized military operations; otherwise, it will lead to endless trouble, with small and medium-sized countries being the first to bear the brunt, he added.
Wang noted that China appreciates Saudi Arabia's commitment to promoting peace and ceasefire, and stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to make efforts for the early restoration of regional peace.
Chinese FM says Strait of Hormuz remains unstable if war doesn't end
