Police in Valais canton have identified all 116 people injured in the fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana during a New Year's Eve party, which killed 40 people. The number of wounded was revised down from 119 after three people admitted to hospital on Thursday were incorrectly recorded as injured in the blaze.
Among the injured are 68 Swiss citizens, 21 French, 10 Italians, four Serbs, four dual nationals, two Poles, and one person each from seven other countries. Eighty-three people remain in hospital with severe burns. The 40 victims, aged 14 to 39, include 21 Swiss, nine French, six Italians, and one each from Belgium, Portugal, Romania and Turkey. Twenty were minors, and the average age was 19.
The bodies of five of the six Italian victims were repatriated on Monday. A plane carrying the coffins of Achille Barosi, Chiara Costanzo, Giovanni Tamburi, and Emanuele Galeppini landed in Milan, while Riccardo Minghetti's body was flown to Rome. The sixth Italian victim, Sofia Prosperi, who lived in Switzerland, will be buried there.
Authorities believe the fire started in the basement after sparklers attached to champagne bottles were held too close to the ceiling, which was clad with soundproofing foam. The bar's owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are under investigation for suspected homicide by negligence but have not been arrested. Pressure is mounting for answers, with Swiss and Italian officials calling for a thorough investigation.
The municipality of Crans-Montana has joined the criminal proceedings as a civil party and provided all relevant documents. A memorial ceremony will be held on Friday, with French President Emmanuel Macron expected to attend.
