All 40 people who perished in the New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss mountain resort of Crans-Montana have been identified, authorities confirmed on Sunday (Jan 4), with teenagers accounting for more than half of the fatalities.
The final 16 victims were officially named by Valais Police, completing the tragic tally from one of the worst disasters in recent Swiss history. The blaze, which broke out early on Jan 1 at the Constellation bar, also injured more than 100 people, leaving the Alpine community and the nation in deep mourning.
Hundreds of residents participated in a silent procession through the frosty streets of Crans-Montana on Sunday, paying tribute to those who lost their lives. Earlier, a memorial service was held at the local church, where Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey expressed that condolences had poured in from around the world, including a personal message from the Pope.
“Countless people join us – people whose hearts are broken,” Bishop Lovey said. “Many expressions of sympathy and solidarity reach us. Pope Leo XIV joins in our sorrow. In a moving message, he expresses his compassion and his care for the victims’ families and strengthens the courage of all who are suffering.”
Among the deceased, 26 were teenagers. Victims included a 14-year-old French national and a 14-year-old Swiss resident, though authorities have not released individual names. In terms of nationality, 21 of the victims were Swiss, seven were French, six were Italian, and others came from Romania, Turkey, Portugal, Belgium, as well as a Swiss-French dual national. A 15-year-old girl held French, Israeli, and British citizenship.
The mother of 16-year-old Swiss boy Arthur Brodard confirmed her son was among those killed. “Now we can start our mourning, knowing he is in peace,” Laetitia Brodard-Sitre wrote on her Facebook page.
In response to the tragedy, Switzerland will observe a national day of mourning on Friday, announced national president Guy Parmelin. Church bells will toll nationwide, and a minute of silence will be observed to honor the victims. “In this moment of reflection, everyone in Switzerland can personally remember the victims of the disaster,” Parmelin told newspaper Sonntagsblick.
Authorities have indicated that the fire was likely triggered when “fountain candle” sparklers were held too close to the ceiling inside the Constellation bar. The blaze spread rapidly, causing severe injuries to 119 people. Many of the injured have been transferred from Swiss hospitals to specialized burn clinics in Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy.
Criminal investigations are underway. Two individuals involved with the bar are being probed for alleged offences, including homicide by negligence, negligent bodily harm, and negligently causing a fire. Authorities clarified that the two, whose names have not been released, are not in custody as there is no indication they would evade legal proceedings.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and solidarity across Switzerland and beyond. Communities are coming together to support the families of the victims while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the devastating fire.
As Crans-Montana and the nation begin the long process of mourning and recovery, officials urge reflection on safety measures at public venues, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of negligence. For the families of the 40 victims, including numerous teenagers, the New Year began with an unimaginable loss that will resonate across Switzerland for years to come.
