All 40 individuals who perished in the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Switzerland have been positively identified, as announced by the police on Sunday. Of the deceased, more than half were teenagers. Valais Police confirmed the identification of the final 16 victims, following the tragic incident at the mountain resort of Crans-Montana on January 1.
The fire, deemed one of the most devastating tragedies in recent Swiss history, has evoked profound sorrow in Switzerland, prompting the nation to schedule a national day of mourning in the upcoming week. A silent procession was held by hundreds of mourners through the chilly streets of Crans-Montana to honor the fire victims, who also left over 100 individuals injured.
Prior to the procession, a church service was attended by mourners in the town, where Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey acknowledged the global outpouring of condolences, including a message from the Pope. Lovey expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and compassion received, emphasizing Pope Leo XIV’s solidarity and concern for the families of the victims.
Among the deceased, 26 were teenagers, including a 14-year-old French national and a 14-year-old from Switzerland. The victims hailed from various nationalities, with 21 being Swiss citizens, seven French, and six Italian. Additional victims originated from Romania, Turkey, Portugal, and Belgium, among others, including a Swiss-French dual national and a 15-year-old girl with French, Israeli, and British citizenship.
The mother of a 16-year-old Swiss boy, Arthur Brodard, confirmed his tragic passing, expressing her readiness to commence the mourning process. Laetitia Brodard-Sitre shared the heartbreaking news on her Facebook page.
Switzerland’s national president, Guy Parmelin, announced that the country will observe a national day of mourning on Friday, with church bells ringing across the nation and a minute’s silence planned. Parmelin encouraged personal reflection to honor the victims of the disaster.
The fire is believed to have originated from “fountain candle” sparklers being held too close to the ceiling at the Constellation bar, according to the region’s chief prosecutor. The incident resulted in 119 people sustaining injuries, many of them severe burns. The Swiss government disclosed that 35 patients have been transferred to specialized clinics in Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy from Swiss hospitals.
Two individuals responsible for the bar are under criminal investigation for suspected offenses, including homicide by negligence. The police confirmed that a criminal investigation has been initiated, looking into allegations of negligent bodily harm and causing a fire due to negligence. The suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed, have not been detained as there are no indications of potential evasion from legal proceedings.