Hundreds march in silence to honor victims of Switzerland bar fire that left 40 dead on New Year’s Eve

Crans Montana, Switzerland — Hundreds of people demonstrated in silence on Sunday to honor the victims of a New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss Alps resort of Crans-Montana, which left 40 dead and many seriously injured.

Grieving mourners, many with red eyes, silently left the church to the sounds of organ music after the hour-long Mass at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe in Crans-Montana. Some exchanged hugs and others clapped before joining the silent march up the hill to Le Constellation pub.

Hundreds of people, some carrying bouquets of flowers, walked in a dense procession in bright sunlight in front of closed shops. On the mountain overlooking the city, snow machines sent columns of white flakes into the air.

At the top of the street, in front of the Le Constellation restaurant still largely shielded from view by white screens, the swelling crowd stood in near silence, some crying. Then they broke into sustained applause — hands in gloves and gloves to ward off the cold — as a stream of mourners and well-wishers placed flower bouquets at a makeshift memorial filled with flowers, toys and other tributes.

“They went there to celebrate.”

“Through this tragic event, I think we should all remember that we are all brothers and sisters in humanity,” said Veronique Barras, a local resident who knows the bereaved families. “It is important that we support each other, embrace each other, and move forward into the light.”

Cathy Bremer said her daughter was out celebrating her 17th birthday on Dec. 31 when she called in the early hours of the morning to say she was stuck because of a Le Constellation cordon. “For children, and even adults, it is difficult to understand things that seem unexplainable,” she said. “They went there to celebrate, it is a December 31 destination, it is very festive, there were people of many nationalities… and everything turned into a tragedy.”

Among the crowd, Paola Ponti Grippi, an 80-year-old Italian with a house in Crans-Montana, called for safety checks in bars. “We need more safety in these places because it’s not the only place that suffers from this kind. Why didn’t the town do proper checks? This is terrible to me.”

Mass for the victims

During the service, Reverend Gil Cavin spoke of the “terrible state of uncertainty” of families unsure whether their loved ones are among the dead or still alive among the infected. “There are no words strong enough to express the horror, suffering and anger of those whose lives were affected today,” he said. “And yet, we are here, united because silence alone is not enough.”

In the crowded pews, a sad woman listened intently, her hands clasped tightly and sometimes clasping rosary beads, as speakers delivered readings in German, French and Italian.

Forty people died and 119 others were injured in the fire that broke out around 1:30 a.m. Thursday at the Le Constellation bar. Police said many of the victims were in their teens to mid-20s.

By Sunday morning, Swiss authorities had identified 24 of the 40 deaths. They include 18 Swiss citizens aged between 14 and 31, two 16-year-old Italians, a 16-year-old dual citizen of Italy and the United Arab Emirates, an 18-year-old Romanian, a 39-year-old Frenchman, and an 18-year-old Turkish citizen.

Sad mother

One of the victims was 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, and his mother was frantically searching for him.

“Arthur has now left to celebrate in heaven,” a visibly shaken Letitia Brodard said in a Facebook story on Saturday evening, speaking into the camera. “We can begin our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light.”

Brodard’s frantic search for her son reflected the desperation of the families of the young men who disappeared during the fire, who did not know whether their loved ones were dead or in hospital.

Swiss authorities said the process of identifying the victims was particularly difficult due to the advanced degree of burns, requiring the use of DNA samples. Brodard also gave her DNA sample to aid in the identification process.

In her Facebook post, she thanked those who “testified with their compassion and love” and those who shared information while she anxiously searched and waited for news of her son. Parents and other siblings are still waiting in agony.

Bar managers face criminal investigation

The Swiss authorities opened a criminal investigation into the bar managers.

Valais District Attorney Beatrice Bellot told reporters on Saturday that the two are suspected of committing involuntary manslaughter, involuntary bodily harm, and inadvertently causing a fire. The announcement of the investigation did not mention the names of the directors.

Investigators said Friday they believe candles flickering on top of champagne bottles started the fire when it got too close to the ceiling of the crowded bar.

The authorities planned to look into whether the soundproof materials in the ceiling complied with regulations and whether candles were allowed in the pub. Officials said they would also look at other safety measures in the building, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin declared a national day of mourning for the victims on January 9.

French Health Minister Stephanie Rest said that 17 patients received care in France, out of a total of 35 who were transferred from Switzerland to five European countries. Other patients were scheduled to be transferred to Germany, Italy and Belgium.

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Associated Press journalists Kostya Manenkov in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Geir Molson in Berlin, Sylvie Courbet in Paris and Claudia Ciopano in Warsaw contributed to this report.