Switzerland ski resort fire: Numerous teens among dead identified in New Year’s Eve blaze

While the Pope offered his condolences to the victims and their families, the police said that 14- and 15-year-old teenagers were among those who died in the bar fire that broke out on New Year’s Eve in Switzerland and killed 40 people.

Valais police said they had identified 16 more people killed in the fire in Crans-Montana, one of the worst disasters in recent Swiss history.

Valais police said the newly identified victims included 10 Swiss citizens, two Italians, a person with dual Italian-UAE citizenship, a Romanian, a person from France and a person from Türkiye.

No names were released.

Hundreds of people attended a church service at the town’s Chapelle Saint-Christophe on Sunday morning, where Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey said condolences had poured in from around the world, including from the vicar.

“Countless people, heartbroken people, are joining us,” Mr Lovey told the service.

“Many expressions of sympathy and solidarity are reaching us.

“Pope Leo XIV shares our sorrow,” he added.

“With a touching message, he expresses his compassion and concern for the families of the victims and strengthens the courage of all who suffer.”

Hundreds later marched in silence to remember those killed in the fire at the Swiss Alps resort.

Somber mourners, many with red eyes, quietly emerged from the chapel to listen to organ music after the hour-long Mass.

Some hugged each other, while others clapped before joining the silent march down the hill to Le Constellation bar.

Hundreds of people, some cradling bouquets of flowers, marched in bright sunlight in a busy serpentine procession past shuttered shops.

On the mountain overlooking the town, snow machines sent white snowflakes into the air.

At the top of the street, in front of Le Constellation, still largely shielded by white screens, the growing crowd remained almost completely silent, some crying.

Afterwards, they erupted in sustained applause as mourners and well-wishers laid floral bouquets at a makeshift memorial filled with flowers, cuddly toys and other memorabilia, their hands gloved and mittened against the cold.

It was stated that the youngest person identified so far was a 14-year-old Swiss girl, and among the dead were two 15-year-old girls from Switzerland.

Police said 10 of the other bodies identified Sunday were teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18.

Two Swiss men, aged 20 and 31, and a 39-year-old French man were also identified.

Police have identified 24 of those killed in the fire at the mountain resort.

Arthur Brodard, the mother of a 16-year-old Swiss boy, confirmed overnight that she was among those killed.

“We can now begin to grieve knowing that he is at peace,” Laetitia Brodard-Sitre wrote on her Facebook page.

Late on Saturday, police identified two Swiss women, aged 24 and 22, and two Swiss men, aged 21 and 18.

Switzerland will observe a day of mourning on Friday, with church bells tolling and a moment of silence planned across the country, President Guy Parmelin said on Sunday.

“At this moment of reflection, everyone in Switzerland can personally remember the victims of the disaster,” Mr Parmelin told newspaper Sonntagsblick.

The district attorney said the fire likely started at Le Constellation bar when “fountain candle” sparklers were held too close to the ceiling.

119 people were injured in the fire, most of them with severe burns.

The Swiss Government said on Sunday that 35 patients were transferred from hospitals in Switzerland to specialist clinics in Belgium, France, Germany and Italy.

“Due to the large number of patients with severe burns, there is not enough capacity in Switzerland for the best possible long-term treatment. Switzerland has therefore sought international support,” the Federal Civil Protection Agency said.

The office said foreigners and Swiss patients were among those flying abroad, and specialist burn assessment teams from France and Italy were deployed to assist Swiss hospitals.

Two men who run the bar are under criminal investigation on suspicion of crimes including negligent homicide, prosecutors said Saturday.

with AP