Police in Switzerland say they have identified the bodies of all 40 people who died in a devastating bar fire at the ski resort of Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve.
The victims were aged between 14 and 39, with 15 of them under the age of 18. The youngest were two 14-year-olds, a Swiss girl and a French boy.
Those killed included nationals of Switzerland, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Portugal, France and Belgium, as well as citizens of the UK, France and Israel.
A further 119 people were injured in the blaze, most suffering severe burns. Six victims remain unidentified due to the extent of their injuries.
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the French couple who managed the Le Constellation bar, where the fire broke out.
Preliminary findings suggest the blaze was caused by sparklers attached to bottles being held too close to the ceiling.
Police said they would not release further details about the identified victims out of respect for their families.
However, on Saturday night, the mother of 16-year-old Arthur Brodard confirmed on Facebook that her son was among those who died. In an emotional video message, she said, “We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light,” adding that he had “left to party in paradise.”
Earlier, while Arthur was still listed as missing, his mother, Arthur Brodard-Sitre, told local newspaper Le Temps that she had been “living a nightmare,” amid limited information about his whereabouts.
She said some of Arthur’s friends had suffered burns to nearly half their bodies. “There are no words, they went through hell,” she added.
Le Constellation was known as a popular venue among young people in the resort town, where the legal drinking age is 16.
