Episode details

World Service,02 Jan 2026,49 mins
Swiss fire likely caused by sparklers attached to champagne bottles
BBC OSAvailable for 15 days
Authorities in Switzerland say they believe a fire at a ski resort bar was caused by "sparklers attached to champagne bottles that came too close to the ceiling". An investigation to confirm how the blaze - which killed 40 people and injured 119 others - began is ongoing. We hear from the family of a 16 year old missing after the fire, and get the latest from our BBC Verify team. The US President has warned Iran against killing peaceful protesters, after reports at least six people were killed in demonstrations this week. The protests, sparked by worsening economic conditions, are now in their sixth day. We speak to our colleague from BBC Persian. And 2026 marks the beginning of a new space race era, with NASA launching the Artemis II and plans in the works to get mankind to Mars and beyond. We hear from three people at the forefront of the next frontier in space. Presenter: James Reynolds (Photo: Police officers stand guard in front of the "Le Constellation" bar, after a fire and explosion during a New Year's Eve party in Switzerland. Credit: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)
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