More Swiss bar fire victims identified as parents mourn or wait for news about their children

Crans-Montana, Switzerland — On Sunday a mass was celebrated for the victims of the Fire on New Year’s Eve in a bar in the Swiss alpine resort of Crans-Montana which left 40 dead and many seriously injured, while distraught parents waited for news of their children or began the long grieving process.

As of Sunday morning, Swiss authorities had identified 24 of the 40 fatalities, 16 more than before. Among the dead are 18 Swiss citizens between the ages of 14 and 31, two Italians aged 16, a citizen with dual Italian and Emirati nationality also aged 16, a Romanian aged 18, a Frenchman aged 39 and a Turkish citizen aged 18.

In addition to the 40 deaths, 119 were injured in the fire that occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Le Constellation bar. Police have said many of the victims were in their teens and early 20s.

Gray-haired parents, teenagers and members of the police were seen comforting each other during the religious service that took place at the Saint-Christophe Chapel in Crans-Montana. The mass was followed by a silent march to the site of the tragedy.

In the packed pews, a grieving woman listened intently, hands tightly clasped and sometimes intertwining rosaries, as speakers delivered readings in German, French and Italian. Despite the freezing cold, several hundred people followed the mass through the screen installed outside the church.

The Rev. Gilles Cavin spoke of the “terrible uncertainty” for families who are unsure whether their loved ones are among the dead or still alive among the wounded. “We pray for his friends seriously affected by misery on this day that should have been one of festivities and friendship,” he said.

One of the victims was 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, whose mother was desperately searching for him.

“Our Arthur has gone partying in paradise,” a visibly shaken Laetitia Brodard said in a Facebook story posted Saturday night, speaking on camera. “We can begin our mourning knowing that he is at peace and in the light.”

Brodard’s frantic search for her son reflected the desperation of the families of the young men missing during the fire, who did not know if their loved ones were dead or in the hospital.

Swiss authorities said the process of identifying the victims was particularly difficult due to the advanced degree of the burns, which required the use of DNA samples. Brodard had also given him a DNA sample to assist in the identification process.

In her Facebook post, Brodard thanked those who “testified their compassion, their love” and those who shared information as she anxiously searched and waited for news of her son.

Other parents and siblings continue to wait in anguish.

The Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation against the directors of the bar.

The two are suspected of involuntary manslaughter, involuntary bodily harm and involuntary arson, Valais region chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told reporters on Saturday. The announcement of the investigation did not name those responsible.

Investigators said Friday they believe slit candles on top of champagne bottles lit the fire when they got too close to the roof of the crowded bar.

The authorities planned to check whether the soundproofing material on the ceiling complied with regulations and whether the use of candles was allowed in the bar. Officials said they would also examine other safety measures at the facility, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced a national day of mourning for the victims on January 9.

French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said 17 patients have received care in France, out of a total of 35 transferred from Switzerland to five European countries. Other patients were planned to be transferred to Germany, Italy and Belgium.