Hundreds of mourners have marched in silence through the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana to pay tribute to the victims of a devastating fire that killed 40 people and injured more than 100 on New Year's Eve.
A Solemn Procession in Sub-Zero Cold
In temperatures plunging to -10C, the community gathered on Sunday, 4 January 2026, for a sombre day of remembrance. The commemorations began with a mass at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe, led by Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey of Sion. Hundreds more followed the service on a screen installed outside the packed church.
Emergency service workers, including firefighters who responded to the blaze, were among those who attended. After the mass, a silent procession made its way up the hill to the site of the tragedy, the Le Constellation bar. Mourners left flowers at a makeshift memorial, with many visibly in tears during the emotional tribute.
The Painful Task of Identification
Swiss authorities confirmed that by Sunday morning, 24 of the 40 fatalities had been formally identified. The process has been described as difficult due to the severity of the fire. Police released details of 16 further victims named on Sunday, revealing the youthful profile of many of those lost.
The newly identified include several children and teenagers:
- An 18-year-old Swiss woman.
- Two 15-year-old girls and a 14-year-old.
- Three Swiss men aged 31, 20, and 18.
- A 17-year-old and two 16-year-old boys.
- Two 16-year-old Italian nationals.
- A 16-year-old with dual Italian and United Arab Emirates nationality.
- An 18-year-old Romanian.
- A 39-year-old Frenchman.
- An 18-year-old Turkish national.
Police stated that the bodies have been returned to their families. They noted that many of the victims were in their teens to mid-20s.
Families' Agony and Ongoing Investigations
During the memorial mass, the Rev Gilles Cavin spoke of the "terrible uncertainty" facing families who were still unsure if their loved ones were among the dead or injured. "We pray for their friends hard-hit by misery on this day that was meant to be one of festivities and friendship," he said.
One of the victims was confirmed as Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old Swiss boy from Lausanne. His mother, Laetitia Brodard, posted a tribute on social media, writing, "Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise... We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light."
Meanwhile, the criminal investigation into the cause of the fire continues. Focus remains on the champagne sparklers lit inside the bar and the building's ceiling foam, as well as the location and quality of emergency exits. The two managers of Le Constellation bar are under criminal investigation.
