Crans-Montana, Switzerland (AP) — Hundreds of people marched in silence on Sunday to remember the victims of a New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana that killed 40 people and seriously injured many others.
After an hour-long mass at St. Christopher’s Church in Crans-Montana, somber mourners, many with red eyes, walked out in silence to listen to organ music. Some hugged each other before heading up the hill to Le Constellation bar.
Hundreds of people walked past shuttered shops in dense, winding queues under bright sunlight. On the hills overlooking the town, snowmaking machines send white flakes into the air.
At the end of the street, in front of Le Constellation restaurant – still largely obscured by a white screen – the packed crowd was almost completely silent, some crying.
They then gave a steady round of applause to rescue teams and police who rushed to the horrific scene wearing gloves and mittens. Mourners and well-wishers placed bouquets in front of a makeshift memorial filled with flowers, cuddly toys and other tributes. Some firefighters also wiped their eyes.
“They go there to party”
“Through this tragic event, I believe we all must remember that we are all brothers and sisters of humanity,” said Véronique Barras, a local resident who knew the grieving family. “It’s important to support each other, embrace each other, and move toward the light.”
Cathy Premer said her daughter was out celebrating her 17th birthday on New Year’s Eve when she called in the early hours to say she was stuck because Le Constellation was on lockdown.
“It’s hard for young people, and even for adults, to understand things that seem inexplicable,” she said. “They were there for a party, it was the destination on December 31st, it was very festive, there were people of many nationalities… and it all turned into a tragedy.”
In the crowd, Paola Ponti Greppi, an 80-year-old Italian who owns a house in Crans-Montana, called for safety checks on bars. “We need more security in these places because this is not the only place like this. Why aren’t the towns doing proper inspections? To me, that’s too bad.”
Mass for the victims
During the Mass, the Rev. Giles Cavan spoke of the “terrifying uncertainty” faced by families who are unsure whether their loved ones are dead or injured still alive.
“No words are enough to express the frustration, pain and anger of those whose lives have been affected today. Yet we gather here because silence is not enough,” he said.
In a crowded pew, a grieving woman listened intently as speakers recited in German, French and Italian, her hands clasped and sometimes holding rosary beads.
A fire broke out at Le Constellation bar around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, killing 40 people and injuring 119 others. Police said many of the victims were in their late teens to early 20s.
As of Sunday evening, Swiss authorities had identified all 40 victims.
a grieving mother
One of the victims was 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, whose mother had been frantically searching for him.
“Our Arthur is off to party in heaven now,” a visibly shaken Laetitia Brodard told the camera in a Facebook Story posted Saturday night. “We can begin to mourn knowing that he is in peace and light.”
Broda’s frantic search for her son reflects the desperation felt by the families of young men missing in the fire, who don’t know whether their loved ones are dead or in hospital.
Swiss authorities said the process of identifying the victims was particularly difficult due to the severity of the burns, requiring the use of DNA samples. Broad also provided a sample of her DNA to aid in the identification process.
In her Facebook post, she thanked those who “proved their compassion and love” and thanked those who shared information as she anxiously searched and waited for news about her son. Other parents and siblings are still waiting in agony.
Bar manager faces criminal investigation
Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the bar manager.
The pair are suspected of manslaughter, negligent bodily harm and negligent ignition of the fire, Valais canton chief prosecutor Beatrice Pillou told reporters on Saturday. The announcement of the investigation did not name the managers.
Regional police said on Sunday that so far there was no legal basis to detain the managers during legal proceedings. They are not yet considered a flight risk.
Investigators said they believe festive sparkling candles on champagne bottles were too close to the ceiling of the crowded bar, sparking the fire.
Authorities are investigating whether the soundproofing material on the ceiling complies with regulations and whether candles are allowed in the pub. The investigation is also focusing on other safety measures at the site, including fire extinguishers and escape routes, and whether previous work at the site was up to code.
“Initial witnesses said the fire spread rapidly, producing large amounts of smoke and a huge heat wave,” police said in a statement on Sunday. “Everything happened very quickly.”
Swiss President Guy Parmelin declared January 9 as a national day of mourning for the victims.
French Health Minister Stephanie Riester said that of a total of 35 patients transferred from Switzerland to five European countries, 17 have been treated in France. Other patients are scheduled to be transferred to Germany, Italy and Belgium.
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Associated Press writers Kostya Manenkov in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Claudia Ciobanu in Warsaw contributed to this report