Hundreds march in silence to honor victims of Swiss bar fire that left 40 dead

Hundreds of people marched in silence on Sunday to honor the victims of a devastating New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, which killed 40 people and left scores more severely injured.

Mourners with tear-streaked faces filed quietly out of the Chapelle Saint-Christophe following an hour-long memorial Mass, accompanied by somber organ music. Some embraced, others applauded softly, before joining a silent procession up the hill toward the Le Constellation bar, where the blaze erupted in the early hours of Thursday.

In bright winter sunlight, the long, winding procession moved past shuttered shops as snow machines on the surrounding slopes sent white plumes into the air. Many participants carried bouquets of flowers as they walked in near silence.

At the top of the street, in front of the bar — still largely concealed behind white screening — the crowd gathered quietly, some openly weeping. The silence eventually gave way to prolonged applause as mourners laid flowers at a growing makeshift memorial of bouquets, candles, stuffed toys and handwritten tributes.

“We are going through a moment of crushing darkness, but we are going through it together,” one speaker told the crowd.

During the Mass, the Rev. Gilles Cavin spoke of the anguish faced by families still unsure whether their loved ones were among the dead or hospitalized with critical injuries. “We pray for their friends, hard hit by misery on this day that was meant to be one of festivities and friendship,” he said.

Inside the packed chapel, readings were delivered in German, French and Italian. A grieving woman sat with her hands clasped tightly, occasionally fingering rosary beads as she listened.

The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday at Le Constellation bar. Police said many of the victims were teenagers and young adults in their mid-20s.

By Sunday morning, Swiss authorities had identified 24 of the 40 victims. They include 18 Swiss citizens aged between 14 and 31; two Italian citizens aged 16; a 16-year-old dual Italian–Emirati citizen; an 18-year-old Romanian; a 39-year-old French citizen; and an 18-year-old Turkish citizen.

A mother’s search ends in grief

Among the victims was 16-year-old Arthur Brodard. His mother, Laetitia Brodard, had spent frantic days searching for news of her son.

“Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise,” she said in a Facebook story posted Saturday night. “We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light.”

Her desperate search mirrored the agony of many families whose children went missing in the chaos after the fire, unsure whether they were dead or among the injured.

Authorities said victim identification has been particularly difficult due to the severity of burns, requiring DNA testing. Brodard had also provided a DNA sample to assist in the process.

In her post, she thanked those who “showed compassion and love” and shared information as she waited anxiously for news. Other families remain in anguish, still awaiting confirmation.

Criminal investigation launched

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the bar’s managers, who are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, Valais chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said Saturday. The managers have not been publicly named.

Investigators believe sparkling candles placed atop Champagne bottles ignited the blaze after coming too close to the bar’s ceiling. Authorities are examining whether ceiling soundproofing materials met safety regulations, whether the candles were permitted, and whether fire extinguishers and emergency exits complied with safety standards.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced a national day of mourning on January 9.

Meanwhile, France’s Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said 17 patients have been treated in France, part of a group of 35 injured people transferred from Switzerland to five European countries. Additional patients were expected to be transferred to Germany, Italy and Belgium.