Hundreds of people held a silent march in honor of the victims of the Swiss bar fire that killed 40 people

Crans-Montana, Switzerland — On Sunday, hundreds of people took out a silent march in honour of the victims. The New Year’s Eve Fire occurred at a bar in the Swiss alpine resort of Crans-Montana, resulting in the deaths of 40 people and the serious injuries of many more.

Following an hour-long mass at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe in Crans-Montana, sombre mourners, many with bloodshot eyes, quietly filed out of the chapel to the music. Some people hugged each other; others applauded before joining the silent march up the hill to Le Constellation Bar.

Several hundred people,

Some, carrying bouquets of flowers in their hands, moved in a dense, snaking procession in the hot sun past closed shops. On the mountain overlooking the city, snow machines blasted white flakes into the air.

At the top of the street, in front of Le Constellation, still largely shielded from view by white screens, the surging crowd stood almost completely silent, some crying. Then they burst into sustained applause, wearing gloves and mittens to protect against the cold, as a stream of mourners and well-wishers deposited bouquets of flowers at a makeshift memorial filled with flowers, hug toys, and other tributes.

One speaker said, “We are going through a time of great darkness, but we are going through it together.”

During the Mass, the Rev. Giles Cavin spoke of the “terrible uncertainty” for families who were unsure whether their loved ones were among the dead or still alive among the injured. “We pray for his friends who are suffering on this day, which was supposed to be a day of celebration and friendship,” he said.

In a crowded pew, a grieving woman listened attentively, her hands tightly clasped and sometimes clutching her rosary beads, while the speaker gave speeches in German, French and Italian.

The fire that broke out around 1.30 am on Thursday resulted in 40 deaths and 119 injuries. The police at le planetarium bar have said many of the victims ranged in age from their late teens to their mid-20s.

As of Sunday morning, Swiss authorities had identified 24 of the 40 deaths. These include 18 Swiss citizens aged 14–31, two 16-year-old Italians, a dual citizen of Italy and the UAE (16 years old), an 18-year-old Romanian, a 39-year-old Frenchman and an 18-year-old Turkish citizen.

One of the victims was 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, whose mother desperately searched for him.

“Our Arthur has now gone to heaven to party,” said a clearly shaken Letitia Brodard in a Facebook story posted Saturday night, speaking to the camera. “We can begin our mourning, knowing he is in peace and light.”

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

Swiss authorities said the process of identifying the victims was particularly difficult because the degree of burns was so high, requiring the use of DNA samples. Brodard also provided his DNA sample to help in the identification process.

In her Facebook post, Brodard thanked those who “testified to their compassion, their love,” and she thanked those who shared information as she anxiously searched and waited for news of her son. Other parents and siblings are still waiting in agony.

Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the bar managers.

The chief prosecutor of the Valais region, Beatrice Pillaud, told reporters on Saturday that both are suspected of involuntary manslaughter, involuntary bodily harm and involuntary manslaughter. The announcement of the investigation did not disclose the names of the managers.

Investigators said Friday they believe the candles were lit on top of the champagne bottles. The candles ignited when they came very close to the ceiling of the crowded bar.

Officials planned to see whether the soundproofing material on the ceiling complied with regulations and whether the use of candles was allowed in the bar. Officials said they will also look into other safety measures, including fire extinguishers and escape routes at the complex.

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

French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said 17 of the 35 patients transferred from Switzerland to five European countries have received care in France. Plans were made to transfer additional patients to Germany, Italy, and Belgium.

,

Associated Press writers, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Sylvie Courbet in Paris, and Claudia Ciobanu in Warsaw, contributed to this report.