Swiss police said teenagers as young as 14 and 15 were among those killed in a deadly New Year’s fire at a packed ski resort bar in Crans-Montana, intensifying scrutiny over age controls and safety compliance at the venue.
Authorities in Valais canton confirmed on Sunday that all 40 victims of the blaze have now been identified. More than 100 people were injured in the fire, which broke out around 1:30 a.m. local time as crowds gathered to celebrate the New Year. Police said 20 of the dead were minors.
Sixteen additional victims were formally identified over the weekend, and their bodies have been returned to their families. One person remains missing, while 23 people are receiving or have received medical treatment. Officials said arrangements are underway to transfer one injured victim to France.
Police said the latest confirmed victims include a Swiss teenager aged 14, two aged 15, two aged 16 and one aged 17. The list also includes two Italians aged 16 and a 16-year-old holding dual nationality. Nine of the newly identified victims were under 18, according to investigators.
The scale of youth casualties has shaken the alpine community and raised questions about whether the bar enforced legal age restrictions. Under Swiss federal law, beer and wine may be sold to people aged 16 and older, while spirits are restricted to those aged 18 and above. Valais canton law further states that after 10 p.m., individuals under 16 may enter premises serving alcohol only if accompanied by a legal guardian or another authorized adult.
Police said the fire erupted well after midnight, when the bar was crowded with young people. Investigators have not yet confirmed whether underage patrons were properly supervised or whether alcohol regulations were breached.
On Saturday, authorities opened a criminal investigation into the bar’s managers on suspicion of negligent manslaughter, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson. The probe will examine safety procedures, crowd management and compliance with local regulations.
One of the bar’s French co-owners has denied wrongdoing. “Everything was done according to the rules,” Jacques Moretti told Swiss newspaper Tribune de Genève on Friday, adding that the establishment had been inspected “three times in 10 years.”
The tragedy has drawn international attention as foreign victims were confirmed among the dead. France’s foreign ministry said Swiss authorities verified that eight French nationals died in the blaze. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking through a spokesperson on Sunday, said six Italian victims have now been identified and their bodies are scheduled to be flown back to Italy on Monday.
Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Coronado, said the Italian victims include one 15-year-old, four 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old. He said Italy intends to seek legal action against the bar owners on behalf of grieving families.
“Accidents happen, but this was not an accident but an avoidable tragedy: all it would have taken was a little prevention and a modicum of common sense,” Coronado said, according to Italian media footage.
Swiss leaders also addressed the loss. President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin said many of those who died were “full of plans, hope and dreams,” highlighting the profound impact on families and communities.
As the investigation continues, residents gathered to mourn the victims. On Sunday, a church service took place at Chapelle Saint-Christophe in Crans-Montana, where families, friends and locals came together in grief.
“Countless people join us – people whose hearts are broken,” Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey said during the service, according to Reuters. “Many expressions of sympathy and solidarity reach us.”
After the service, mourners joined a silent march toward the town center. Participants laid flowers and signed a book of condolences, according to the church’s website.
Police said they are continuing forensic work and witness interviews to determine how the fire started and whether safety failures contributed to the high death toll. Officials have not released details about possible building code violations or emergency exits, saying it is too early to draw conclusions.
For the mountain resort known for winter tourism and festive nightlife, the disaster has left a lasting scar. As families prepare funerals and communities grieve, authorities face mounting pressure to explain how so many young lives were lost in a place meant for celebration.
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