What happened at Crans-Montana resort in Switzerland?

Approximately 40 people lost their lives in a large fire that broke out at a bar in Switzerland’s Crans-Montana ski resort, Italy’s foreign ministry has said.

At least 100 people have suffered injuries, the Le Nouvelliste newspaper reported.

The Swiss authorities rule out a terrorist attack as the cause of the blast, Valais Canton Prosecutor General Beatrice Pilloud said. According to her, "arson is the most possible cause."

The Rhone FM radio station reported that the explosion could have been triggered by careless handling of fireworks.