Three days after a devastating fire tore through a New Year's Eve celebration, the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana fell into a profound silence. Thousands of mourners gathered for a poignant, noiseless march to honour the at least 40 people killed and 119 injured in the tragedy at the Le Constellation bar.
A Community United in Grief
The day of remembrance began with a special mass at 9am UK time inside the town's packed St Christophe Chapel. With temperatures at a biting minus eight degrees Celsius, hundreds more watched the service from outside via loudspeakers and a screen. Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey was moved to tears while leading the multilingual service, which included readings in French, German, and Italian.
Following the mass, more than 2,000 mourners, including survivors and families of the victims, embarked on a silent walk up the hill to the charred remains of the Le Constellation bar. The emotional procession included a group of firefighters, who received spontaneous applause from the crowd in recognition of their efforts.
Tributes and Heartbreaking Scenes at the Shrine
At the scene of the disaster, a growing shrine of flowers and candles became the focal point for a second vigil. A female vocalist sang a moving rendition of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' as people openly wept and hugged one another. Mourners also signed a book of condolence set up on a small table beside the memorial.
Reverend Gilles Cavin spoke of the "terrible uncertainty" facing families still waiting for news, as the identification process continues. He prayed for friends "hard hit by misery on this day that was meant to be one of festivities and friendship." Attendees included Italy's Ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, and the President of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud.
Victims and Ongoing Investigation
Among the young victims feared to have perished are 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, formerly educated at Immanuel College in Bushey, Hertfordshire, and two sisters, 14-year-old Diana and 15-year-old Alicia Gonset. By Sunday, police had identified 24 victims, revealing the international scale of the tragedy. The list includes:
- Swiss nationals aged between 14 and 31
- Two 16-year-old Italians
- One 16-year-old Italian-Emirati national
- One 18-year-old Romanian
- One 39-year-old Frenchman
- One 18-year-old Turk
The fire, which began around 1.30am on New Year's Day after a party sparkler ignited the ceiling, has sparked a criminal investigation. The bar's owners, French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are being investigated on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. While they maintain all regulations were followed, questions have been raised about safety failings and the regularity of official inspections. Mayor Nicolas Féraud has denied the municipality took a lax approach to inspections, stating all relevant reports have been handed to the public prosecutor.
