In brief
A special Mass held outside St. Christopher's Church in Crans Montana drew hundreds of mourners honoring the victims of the devastating fire at Le Constellation bar. The event brought together families, friends, firefighters, and the community who expressed their sorrow and shared memories of those who lost their lives or remain hospitalized. Authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into the fire, with an emphasis on safety standards and potential negligence by the bar's owners.
In the snow-dusted street outside St Christopher's Church, hundreds joined a special Sunday Mass for the victims of the fire that tore through Le Constellation bar on New Year's Eve.
Many hugged each other, crying quietly, as they remembered the dozens killed and those still in hospital with severe burns, fighting for their lives.
During the service, several in the crowd fainted and fell to the ground, overcome.
Police say more than 20 of the dead have now been identified, although not named publicly. Their bodies are being returned to their families, some of whom had been holding on to the hope their children might yet be found - injured, but alive.
They're now receiving the worst possible news.
Ever since the fire, Laetitia Brodard had been posting pictures of her teenage son Arthur online and appealing for help to find him. On Sunday, she was at the memorial service, being comforted by friends.
He died that first day, Laetitia confirmed to me.
In an emotional statement on Facebook, she said that Arthur had gone to party in paradise.
The victims' bodies were so badly burned by the fire they are difficult to identify. Even some of those injured and in hospitals haven't been named yet - they remain unconscious and unrecognizable.
The bar was packed full of young people that night, many of them just teenagers. Some of the survivors joined a silent procession after the Sunday Mass from the church towards the bar itself. Above, in the stunningly beautiful Swiss Alps, cable cars went on sliding up the mountain carrying tourists to ski.
For the people of Crans, they are heroes.
The local fire commander - who considered leaving his job after what he experienced here - told us he and his colleagues were now a giant family. I need them, and they need me, David Vocat said, very tearful. All my thoughts are for the victims and their families. I am so sorry.
The bar owners, a French couple, are suspected of killing and causing arson and bodily harm through negligence. A criminal investigation has now been opened.
