Police Identify 16 More Victims of Crans-Montana Bar Fire

Swiss police have confirmed the identities of 16 additional victims killed in the deadly fire at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana. Authorities said the youngest was a 14-year-old Swiss girl, with nine of those identified under the age of 18.

The victims include citizens of Switzerland, Italy, Romania, Turkey and France. With the latest identifications, the total number of confirmed dead now stands at 24. Eight Swiss nationals were identified and returned to their families on Saturday.

A criminal investigation is under way into the operators of Le Constellation bar as families continue to wait for news of relatives still listed as missing. Police said no further personal details would be released out of respect for the victims’ families.

A preliminary inquiry found the blaze likely started when sparklers attached to bottles were held too close to the ceiling during New Year celebrations. The fire killed at least 40 people and left 119 others injured.

Many of the dead and missing are teenagers. The bar was popular with young people in the resort, where the legal drinking age is 16. Authorities said those identified on Saturday were all aged between 16 and 24.

Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, said the identification process has been slow due to the severity of burns suffered by many victims.

Lead prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said investigators are examining whether acoustic foam on the ceiling contributed to the fire and whether it complied with safety regulations.

Reports also said a teenager who had attended two schools in the UK is believed to be among those still missing.