Swiss authorities have confirmed the identities of 24 people who lost their lives in the devastating New Year's Eve bar fire in the upmarket resort of Crans-Montana. Among the dead are children as young as 14 and 15 years old.
Victims of the Tragedy
Valais cantonal police announced on Sunday that forensic teams had managed to identify 16 more bodies from the blaze at Le Constellation bar, bringing the total number of identified victims to 24. The process has been described as painstakingly slow due to the severity of the burns suffered by most of the 40 people who perished.
The youngest victim identified so far is a 14-year-old Swiss girl. Two 15-year-old Swiss girls were also named among the dead. Ten of the other bodies identified on Sunday were teenagers aged between 16 and 18.
The most recent identifications include 10 Swiss nationals, two Italians, one individual with dual Italian-Emirati citizenship, one Romanian, one French national, and one person from Turkey. Police have not released the names publicly as they continue the process of notifying all next of kin.
Among those confirmed dead by family is 16-year-old Arthur Brodard. His mother, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, posted a tribute on social media, writing: "Our Arthur has departed to party in heaven. Now we can start our mourning, knowing he is in peace."
A Community in Mourning
Hundreds of local residents and visitors gathered on Sunday for a sombre, silent procession through the town to honour the victims. The march began after a memorial service at the Chapelle St-Christophe, where a multi-faith congregation heard words of condolence and solidarity.
The Rev Gilles Cavin addressed the "terrible uncertainty" still faced by families unsure if their loved ones were among the deceased or the 119 injured. "There are no words strong enough to express the dismay, anguish and anger of those who are affected in their lives today," he told the assembled mourners.
The dense procession wound its way up the hill to the site of the fire. Participants walked in bright sunshine past shuttered shops, many with reddened eyes, to lay flowers, cuddly toys, and other tributes at a growing makeshift memorial near Le Constellation bar.
A poignant moment of applause rippled through the crowd as dozens of police and emergency service workers, some visibly emotional, walked through the centre of the procession to be acknowledged as heroes for their response to the disaster.
Local resident Véronique Barras, who knows grieving families, expressed the community's sentiment: "Through this tragic event, I believe we must all remember that we are all brothers and sisters in humanity. It's important to support each other, to hug each other and to move forward towards light."
Investigation and National Day of Mourning
Switzerland will hold a national day of mourning on Friday. Church bells will ring across the country and a minute's silence will be observed. Swiss President Guy Parmelin stated that the day would allow everyone in Switzerland to "personally remember the victims of the disaster."
The investigation into the cause of the fire continues. The region's chief prosecutor has said investigators believe the blaze started when sparkling candles were held too close to the sound-dampening material on the basement ceiling of the venue.
Two individuals who managed the bar are under formal criminal investigation on suspicion of homicide by negligence, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire. Authorities are examining whether the ceiling material complied with regulations, if the candles were permitted for use, and the adequacy of safety measures like fire extinguishers and escape routes.
The scale of the injuries has overwhelmed Swiss clinics, with several severely burned victims transferred to specialist units across Europe. The identification process has relied heavily on DNA analysis and dental records due to the condition of the victims.
As the community of Crans-Montana and the nation of Switzerland begin a long period of grief, questions about safety regulations and accountability remain at the forefront of this profound tragedy.
