Twenty-four of the forty people killed in the devastating New Year's Eve bar fire in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana have now been identified by investigators. Among the dead are children as young as 14 and 15 years old.
Victims Include Teenagers as Young as 14
Valais cantonal police confirmed on Sunday that forensic teams had managed to identify 16 more bodies from the blaze at Le Constellation bar. The process has been described as particularly slow and complex due to the horrific nature of the burns sustained by most victims.
The youngest victim identified so far is a 14-year-old Swiss girl. Two 15-year-old Swiss girls were also among those named. Ten of the other bodies identified on Sunday were teenagers aged between 16 and 18.
Police had earlier confirmed the identities of two Swiss women, aged 24 and 22, and two Swiss men, aged 21 and 18. The most recent identifications include ten Swiss nationals, two Italians, one person with Italian-Emirati citizenship, one Romanian, one French national, and one person from Turkey.
No names have been officially released as authorities continue the difficult task of notifying all next of kin. However, the mother of 16-year-old Arthur Brodard confirmed his death on social media, writing: "Our Arthur has departed to party in heaven. Now we can start our mourning, knowing he is in peace."
A Resort in Mourning: Silent Procession for the Victims
On Sunday, hundreds of residents and well-wishers gathered in Crans-Montana for a solemn, silent procession to honour those lost in one of Switzerland's worst peacetime disasters.
The event began with a memorial service at the Chapelle St-Christophe. A sombre crowd, many with reddened eyes, filed out to the sound of organ music before beginning a silent march up the hill towards the charred remains of Le Constellation bar.
People walked in bright sunshine past shuttered shops, forming a dense, snaking line of mourners. At a makeshift memorial near the bar, a growing pile of flowers, cuddly toys, and handwritten notes accumulated as people paid their respects.
A poignant moment occurred when applause rippled through the crowd as dozens of police and emergency service workers, some visibly emotional, walked through the procession. They were celebrated as heroes for their response to the catastrophe.
"Through this tragic event, I believe we must all remember that we are all brothers and sisters in humanity," said local resident Véronique Barras, who knows grieving families. "It's important to support each other, to hug each other and to move forward towards light."
Investigation and National Day of Mourning Announced
During the interconfessional service, the Rev Gilles Cavin spoke of the "terrible uncertainty" faced by families in the immediate aftermath, unsure if their loved ones were among the dead or injured.
Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey told the congregation that condolences had poured in from around the world, including from Pope Francis. Switzerland will hold a national day of mourning on Friday, with church bells set to ring across the country and a minute's silence observed.
"In this moment of reflection, everyone in Switzerland can personally remember the victims of the disaster," Swiss President Guy Parmelin stated.
The investigation into the cause of the fire continues. The region's chief prosecutor has said investigators believe it started when sparkling candles were held too close to the sound-dampening material on the basement ceiling. Authorities are examining whether this material met regulations and if the candles were permitted for use.
Two individuals who managed the bar are under criminal investigation on suspicion of homicide by negligence, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire. The severity of the victims' injuries has necessitated the use of DNA and dental records for identification.
The blaze also left 119 people injured, many with severe and disfiguring burns. Several have been transferred to specialist burns units across Europe to assist overwhelmed Swiss clinics.
