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.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran e...
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientif...
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government offici...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Masoud Pezeshkian, his Iranian counterpart, that violations of Turkish airspace by ...
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country&rsquo...
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment