Hundreds of mourners have marched in solemn silence through the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, honouring the 40 people killed in a devastating fire at a New Year's Eve celebration. As the community reels, authorities have begun to release the names of some of the victims, many of whom were teenagers and young adults.
Silent Procession in Sub-Zero Cold
In temperatures plunging to -10C, a vast crowd attended a memorial mass at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe on Sunday morning. Led by Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey of Sion, the service was attended by emergency service workers, firefighters, and grieving families. Hundreds more followed the proceedings on a screen outside the packed church.
Following the mass, the congregation joined a silent procession up the hill to the charred remains of the Le Constellation bar, the site of the tragedy. Mourners left flowers at a makeshift memorial, with many visibly overcome by emotion during the poignant walk.
Victims Begin to be Identified
Swiss authorities confirmed that by Sunday, 24 of the 40 fatalities had been formally identified. The process has been described as difficult due to the severity of the blaze which erupted in the early hours of Thursday, 1 January 2026.
Among those named are Benjamin Johnson, whose death was reported by the Swiss Boxing Federation, and Tristan Pidoux, confirmed by a family spokesperson. Three teenagers have also been publicly identified: Italian 17-year-old Emanuele Galeppini, Italian 16-year-old Chiara Costanzo, and Swiss 16-year-old Arthur Brodard.
Police detailed that other identified victims include several children and young adults:
- An 18-year-old Swiss woman, two 15-year-old girls, a 14-year-old, and three Swiss men aged 31, 20, and 18.
- A 17-year-old and two 16-year-old boys.
- Two 16-year-old Italians, a 16-year-old with dual Italian and UAE nationality, an 18-year-old Romanian, a 39-year-old Frenchman, and an 18-year-old Turkish national.
These bodies have now been returned to their families.
A Community in Mourning and Uncertainty
During the memorial service, the Rev Gilles Cavin spoke of the "terrible uncertainty" facing families who still do not know if their loved ones are among the dead or injured. More than 100 people were hurt in the fire.
Arthur Brodard's mother, Laetitia, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, stating, "Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise... We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light." She described the anguish of searching for her son before the tragic confirmation.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with a focus on champagne sparklers lit inside the venue, the ceiling foam, and the location and quality of emergency exits. The two managers of the bar are under criminal investigation as the search for answers continues alongside the profound grief.
