Swiss police have confirmed that all 40 victims of the New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the mountain resort of Crans-Montana have now been identified, with more than half of those killed being teenagers.
Valais police said the final 16 victims were identified following the blaze in the early hours of 1 January, one of the deadliest disasters in recent Swiss history. The tragedy has sparked national grief, with Switzerland set to observe a national day of mourning next week.
Hundreds of people took part in a silent procession through the frosty streets of Crans-Montana on Sunday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, while more than 100 others were injured in the fire.
At a church service, Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey said condolences had poured in from around the world, including from Pope Leo XIV. “Countless people join us – people whose hearts are broken. Many expressions of sympathy and solidarity reach us,” he said.
Teenagers Among the Dead
Police confirmed that 26 of the 40 victims were teenagers, including a 14-year-old French national and a 14-year-old Swiss. In total, 21 were Swiss citizens, seven French, six Italian, with others from Romania, Turkey, Portugal, Belgium, and one 15-year-old holding French, Israeli, and British nationality.
The mother of 16-year-old Swiss boy Arthur Brodard confirmed his death on Facebook, writing: “Now we can start our mourning, knowing he is in peace.”
National Day of Mourning
Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced that Friday will be a national day of mourning, with church bells ringing across the country and a minute’s silence observed.
Authorities believe the fire began when “fountain candle” sparklers were held too close to the ceiling at the Constellation bar. A total of 119 people were injured, many suffering severe burns.
Thirty-five patients have been transferred from Swiss hospitals to specialised clinics in Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy. Two people who ran the bar are under criminal investigation for offences including homicide by negligence, negligent bodily harm, and causing a fire. They have not been taken into custody as there is no evidence they would attempt to evade proceedings.
Musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder over the death of a teenage girl whose dismembered remains were found inside a car lin...
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns...
Hungarian election winner Péter ...
President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met a senior NATO envoy in Yerevan to discuss expanding cooperation the presidential off...
Residents displaced by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades have begun returning to their damaged homes, hoping to recover belongings that s...
Musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder over the death of a teenage girl whose dismembered remains were found inside a car linked to him, prosecutors in Los Angeles County have said.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met a senior NATO envoy in Yerevan to discuss expanding cooperation the presidential office said.
Residents displaced by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades have begun returning to their damaged homes, hoping to recover belongings that survived the blaze.
Dozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots have demonstrated improvements in speed, balance and autonomous navigation after completing a half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday (19 April), in a showcase of the country’s fast-developing robotics sector.
The U.S. Navy has forcibly intercepted and boarded the Iranian cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the ongoing naval blockade. President Trump confirmed that the vessel was neutralised and seized by Marines following a direct strike on its engine room.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Secretly filmed footage from two UK laboratories has reignited debate over animal testing in drug development, after a former worker alleged that monkeys, dogs and other animals endured prolonged distress during safety trials for new medicines.
Hungarian election winner Péter Magyar on Monday nominated András Kármán as finance minister, Anita Orbán as foreign minister and István Kapitány as economy and energy minister in his incoming government, as previously indicated.
Residents displaced by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades have begun returning to their damaged homes, hoping to recover belongings that survived the blaze.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Elon Musk did not appear before French prosecutors on Monday after being formally summoned for questioning in an investigation into the alleged misuse of his social media platform X.
Central Asian countries and Russia have launched a new platform for industrial cooperation, signalling a shift from traditional trade ties towards deeper production integration.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment