Swiss police have identified all 40 victims of the bar fire at a ski resort in Crans-Montana that occurred on January 1. The victims were of a range of nationalities, with more than half being teenagers, authorities confirmed.
The final 16 victims were identified on Sunday, local time, according to Valais Police. The fire, one of the worst disasters in recent Swiss history, has led to an outpouring of grief, and a national day of mourning is scheduled for Friday.
Hundreds of people held a silent procession through Crans-Montana on Sunday to remember the victims. Mourners attended a church service where Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey said condolences had arrived from around the world, including from Pope Leo XIV.
Of the 40 dead, 26 were teenagers, with victims including a 14-year-old French national and a 14-year-old from Switzerland. In total, 21 were Swiss citizens, seven were French, and six were Italian. Other victims came from Romania, Turkey, Portugal, Belgium, and a Swiss-French dual national, as well as a 15-year-old girl with French, Israeli, and British nationality.
Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation of two bar managers on suspicion of offences including homicide by negligence. The fire likely started when sparklers held aloft too close to the ceiling ignited the blaze, according to the region's chief prosecutor.
