Hundreds of people participated in a silent march on Sunday in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, paying solemn tribute to the victims of a devastating New Year's Eve fire at a local bar. The tragic blaze at Le Constellation bar claimed 40 lives and left 119 others severely injured, casting a pall over the festive season.
A Silent March of Grief and Solidarity
Somber mourners, many with eyes red from crying, filed out of the Chapelle Saint-Christophe following an hour-long memorial Mass. The service, led by Rev. Gilles Cavin, addressed the "terrible uncertainty" faced by families unsure if their loved ones were among the deceased or the injured. Attendees then joined a dense, silent procession up the hill towards the charred remains of the bar. In the bright sunlight, past shuttered stores, hundreds walked, many cradling flower bouquets.
The crowd gathered in near-total silence in front of Le Constellation, which remains shielded by white screens. The silence was broken by sustained, gloved applause as mourners placed flowers at a makeshift memorial already piled with bouquets, soft toys, and other tributes. "We are going through a moment of crushing darkness but we are going through it together," a speaker told the assembled crowd.
Victims and a Mother's Anguish
The fire broke out around 1:30 am on Thursday, December 31st. Police confirmed many victims were young, in their teens to mid-20s. By Sunday, Swiss authorities had identified 24 of the 40 fatalities. The list includes 18 Swiss citizens aged 14 to 31, two 16-year-old Italians, a dual citizen of Italy and the UAE (also 16), an 18-year-old Romanian, a 39-year-old French citizen, and an 18-year-old Turkish citizen.
The painful identification process, complicated by the severity of burns, required DNA analysis. This process was embodied by the search of Laetitia Brodard for her 16-year-old son, Arthur. After providing her DNA, she confirmed his death in a heartfelt Facebook video. "Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise," she said. "We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light." Her public gratitude for the compassion shown during her search highlighted the community's shared grief, while other families continue to wait in anguish.
Criminal Investigation and National Mourning
Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation targeting the bar's managers. Valais chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud stated the two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire. Investigators believe the fire started when sparkler candles on Champagne bottles ignited, likely coming into contact with the ceiling's sound-dampening material.
Authorities are examining if the ceiling material met regulations, if the candles were permitted, and reviewing other safety measures like fire extinguishers and escape routes. In response to the national tragedy, Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced a national day of mourning on January 9th.
International aid was mobilised for the injured, with France's Health Minister Stephanie Rist noting that 17 patients were receiving care in France. In total, 35 patients were transferred from Switzerland to hospitals across five European countries, including Germany, Italy, and Belgium.
