All 40 individuals who perished in the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Switzerland have now been positively identified, as revealed by authorities on Sunday. The tragic incident, which occurred in the early hours of January 1 at the mountain resort of Crans-Montana, claimed the lives of more than half teenagers among the victims.
Valais Police confirmed the identification of the final 16 victims, marking one of the most devastating disasters in recent Swiss history. The nation has been deeply moved by the incident, prompting plans for a national day of mourning to be observed soon.
In a show of solidarity, hundreds of individuals participated in a solemn procession through the chilly streets of Crans-Montana to honor those lost in the fire, which also left over 100 individuals injured. At a church service held earlier in the day, Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey expressed gratitude for the global outpouring of condolences, including a message of support from Pope Leo XIV.
Among the deceased, 26 were teenagers, with the victims hailing from various nationalities such as Swiss, French, Italian, Romanian, Turkish, Portuguese, and Belgian origins. Notably, a 15-year-old girl with French, Israeli, and British citizenship was also among those who lost their lives.
Switzerland is set to observe a national day of mourning, with church bells to toll across the country and a minute of silence to be observed in memory of the victims. Investigations have pointed to the probable cause of the fire being the inappropriate use of “fountain candle” sparklers within the confines of the Constellation bar.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath, 35 individuals have been transferred to specialized medical facilities in neighboring countries for further treatment. Meanwhile, the proprietors of the bar are under scrutiny for potential charges including homicide by negligence, although they have not been arrested as there is no indication of a flight risk.
The community continues to mourn the loss of lives and offers support to the families impacted by this tragic event.