83 people remain in hospital as victims of the Crans-Montana bar fire are identified, with 40 fatalities and 19 nationalities affected.
CRANS-MONTANA: Eighty-three people wounded in a devastating New Year’s bar fire remain hospitalised four days after the tragedy.
Swiss police confirmed all 116 injured individuals and the 40 fatalities have now been identified.
The victims ranged in age from 14 to 39, with an average age of 19.
Authorities believe the fire at Le Constellation bar started when sparklers on champagne bottles ignited soundproofing foam on the basement ceiling.
Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado said the tragedy “could have been avoided” through prevention and common sense.
He cited “numerous shortcomings in safety and prevention” at the venue.
The bodies of five Italian teenagers were repatriated from Sion Airport to Italy on Monday.
Nineteen foreign passport holders were among the dead, including nine French and six Italian nationals.
Swiss citizens accounted for most of the casualties, but nationals from 18 other countries were impacted.
The injured included 23 French, 11 Italian, four Serbian, and two Polish citizens.
Mathias Reynard, president of the Wallis cantonal government, acknowledged the public’s anger and emotional reactions.
He promised transparency and justice for the families of victims.
Twenty-six of those killed were teenagers, with eight under the age of 16.
This suggests a possible violation of local laws barring under-16s from bars after 10pm without a guardian.
Caroline Rey, a 24-year-old victim, was remembered by her father Joel for her joy and carefree spirit.
Switzerland will hold a national day of mourning on Friday, with church bells tolling at 2pm.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to attend a victim memorial ceremony in Switzerland that day.
