By Euronews
Published on
Hundreds of mourners marched in Crans-Montana on Sunday to honour the victims of the New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss Alpine ski resort that left 40 people dead and dozens severely injured.
An hourlong mass was held earlier at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe in honour of the fire victims, with a message of condolence sent by Pope Leo XIV read during the service.
“The Pontiff joins us in our sorrow through moving words and wishes to express his compassion and care for the families and to support those who are suffering,” said the Bishop of Sion, Jean-Marie Lovey.
Meanwhile, outside hundreds of people gathered in silence to pay tribute to the victims of the fire.
After the hourlong Mass, participants, their faces solemn and eyes red, left the chapel in silence to the sound of the organ. Some embraced, others applauded, before joining the silent march up the hill towards the Le Constellation bar.
Several hundred people, some carrying bouquets of flowers, walked in a dense, winding procession under bright sunshine, passing closed shops. On the mountain overlooking the town, snow cannons were spraying clouds of snow.
During the mass, Father Gilles Cavin spoke of the “terrible uncertainty” faced by families who do not know whether their loved ones are dead or injured. “We pray for their friends, so deeply affected by the tragedy on what should have been a day of celebration and togetherness,” he said.
Inside the packed church, a grieving woman listened intently, hands clasped, occasionally fingering her rosary, as readings were delivered in German, French and Italian.
24 victims identified
The Valais cantonal police announced on Sunday morning that 16 new victims of the New Year’s Eve fire at the “Le Constellation” nightclub in Crans-Montana have been identified, bringing the number of identified dead to 24 out of a total of 40. The number of confirmed injured stands at 121.
Police said that most of the victims were aged between 13 and 25.
The identification process relied on decisive DNA tests carried out at Lausanne Hospital, matching parents’ genetic data with that of the remains which were recovered.
The authorities have already returned the identified bodies to their families, while the search continues for three other Italians who are still reported missing.
Bar managers under criminal investigation
Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the managers of a bar.
The two individuals are suspected of involuntary manslaughter, intentional bodily harm and arson, Valais regional prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud told the press on Saturday. The announcement of the investigation did not disclose the managers’ identities.
Investigators said on Friday that they believe sparklers placed on champagne bottles may have triggered the fire after coming too close to the ceiling of the packed bar.
Authorities plan to check whether the ceiling’s soundproof insulation complies with regulations and whether the use of sparklers was authorised at the venue. They will also examine other safety measures, including the presence of fire extinguishers and emergency exits.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin declared a national day of mourning in tribute to the victims on 9 January. At 2 pm that day, church bells will ring across Switzerland for a minute’s silence, giving the population a moment of collective remembrance to honour the victims.
French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said that 17 patients had been treated in France, out of a total of 35 transferred from Switzerland to five European countries. Further transfers to Germany, Italy and Belgium were planned.