Mourners gather at Mass for victims of Swiss bar fire

Hundreds of people took to the snowy streets outside St Christopher’s Church to attend a special Sunday mass to remember the victims of the New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar.

Many hugged each other and cried silently as they remembered the dozens of victims and those still fighting for their lives in hospitals with severe burns.

During the ceremony, several people in the crowd fainted and fell to the ground, unable to bear it.

All 40 of the deceased have been identified but their names have not been released. Their bodies are being returned to their families, some of whom are holding on to the hope that their children will be found – injured but alive.

They now have the worst possible news.

Laetitia Brodard has been posting photos of her teenage son Arthur online since the fire and appealing for help to find him. On Sunday, she attended a memorial service and was comforted by friends.

“He died on the first day,” Letitia confirmed to me.

She posted a touching statement on Facebook, saying Arthur “went to heaven to party.”

The bodies of the victims were so badly damaged by the fire that they were difficult to identify. Even the names of some of those injured in hospital have not yet been revealed – they remain unconscious and unrecognizable.

For the deceased, forensic experts must use DNA samples and dental records, and for the families, the wait is excruciating.

That night, the bar was packed with young people, many of them just teenagers. The drinking age in Switzerland is 16.

After Sunday Mass, some survivors took part in a silent march from the church to the pub. Above, in the breathtakingly beautiful Swiss Alps, cable cars continue to glide up the mountain, taking visitors to skiing.

The site of the fire is still covered by white plastic sheeting, but the shrine in front of the fire is filled with flowers and stuffed animals and continues to grow.

The bouquet included a handwritten note with a name and photo.

At one point, the crowd erupted in applause: a large group of uniformed firefighters and rescue workers came to the monument, stood arm in arm, and wept for those they could not save.

To the Klans people, they were heroes.

The local fire commander – who considered resigning after his experience here – told us he and his colleagues are now a big family.

“I need them and they need me,” David Voakart said through tears. “All my thoughts are with the victims and their families. I’m so sorry.”

We spoke to teenagers who saw people running from the burning pub and described horrific scenes they will never forget.

A criminal investigation has now been launched. The bar owners, a French couple, are suspected of negligent homicide, arson and bodily harm.

Police and prosecutors have been examining images taken inside Le Constellation in the moment the fire broke out, showing bar staff carrying champagne bottles with fireworks attached on others’ shoulders.

The sparks appeared to ignite the ceiling, which was covered in acoustic foam, and the flames spread quickly.

Investigators will check whether foam and other materials meet safety standards.

They will investigate whether there is overcrowding, access to basement emergency exits and the presence of fire extinguishers.

Some videos showed teenagers desperately trying to put out the fires with T-shirts. Initially, many people did not realize the great danger and continued to dance and even film the fire rather than run away.

A group of men, some with black scarves covering their faces, formed a half circle on Sunday to commemorate a man killed in a bar known locally as “Stefi”.

“We are here for our colleagues,” one said, speaking with difficulty. “Steffy was his last resort. May he rest in peace now.”

“It’s important to be with your family. We can’t change things, we can only be here,” Diana said after holding hands with two other women and praying for a group of friends who were still in the hospital.

“We just hope they succeed.”

“We’re not angry,” Diana told me. “But we trust the police to do their job and we hope justice is served.”