Authorities in Switzerland have confirmed the identities of 16 more victims of the devastating New Year's Day fire at a ski resort bar, revealing a 14-year-old girl as the tragedy's youngest known victim.
New Details Emerge in Crans-Montana Tragedy
The inferno, which broke out at the Le Constellation bar in the popular ski village of Crans-Montana minutes after midnight, claimed 40 lives. Valais Cantonal Police have now publicly identified a total of 24 of those who perished. The latest batch of names includes nine children under the age of 18.
A police spokesperson provided a breakdown of the 16 newly identified victims: 'These are four Swiss women, aged 18, two aged 15 and 14, and six Swiss men aged 31, 20, 18, 17 and two aged 16, two Italians aged 16, a dual national (Italy and United Arab Emirates) aged 16, a Romanian aged 18, a Frenchman aged 39 and a Turkish man aged 18.'
Ongoing Search for Answers and Loved Ones
The victims were formally identified by the specialised Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team and the Institute of Legal Medicine. Investigations continue to name the 16 remaining victims. Out of respect for their families, police have stated no further information will be released on these latest identifications at this time.
The fire is believed to have taken hold rapidly after sparklers used in celebrations ignited foam soundproofing on the ceiling of the packed bar.
Families Endure Agonising Wait
As official investigations proceed, a harrowing human toll continues to unfold. Families have gathered at the scene to lay tributes and candles, many still searching for missing loved ones.
One mother, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, 42, spent hours searching for news of her 16-year-old son, Arthur. She carried his photo on her phone, desperately asking if anyone had seen him. She recounted that he had been excited to celebrate with school friends at the resort, having reserved a table in advance.
'Of the 11 people at that table only one has been found, and all the others are missing,' she said. She shared a poignant final message from her son, sent from Le Constellation at midnight, which read: 'Happy New Year, mum.'
Previously, police had identified eight other victims, which included two 16-year-old Swiss nationals. The full list of those named so far comprises four Swiss women aged 16, 21, 22 and 24 and four Swiss men aged 16, two aged 18, and one 21-year-old.
