CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — On Sunday, a silent procession was held to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the devastating New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana. The tragic incident claimed 40 lives and left numerous others with severe injuries.

With somber expressions and reddened eyes, mourners quietly exited the Chapelle Saint-Christophe following an hour-long Mass accompanied by organ music. After sharing hugs and applause, they began a silent march towards Le Constellation bar, the site of the tragedy.

In bright sunshine, hundreds of individuals, some carrying floral bouquets, moved in a long, winding line past closed shops. Above the town, snow machines sent flurries into the clear sky, adding a poignant backdrop to the scene.

Gathering at the top of the street near Le Constellation, which remained obscured by white screens, the crowd stood in near silence, with some openly weeping. This reverent silence was eventually broken by a wave of applause, as mourners, bundled against the cold, laid flowers and other tributes at a makeshift memorial filled with blooms, stuffed animals, and heartfelt mementos.

‘They went there to party’

Véronique Barras, a local who is acquainted with some of the grieving families, reflected on the tragedy, saying, “Through this tragic event, I believe we must all remember that we are all brothers and sisters in humanity. It’s important to support each other, to hug each other, and to move forward towards light.”

Cathy Premer recounted that her daughter, celebrating her 17th birthday on December 31, called in distress after finding herself stuck because the bar was cordoned off. “For the young – but even for adults – it’s hard to understand things that seem inexplicable,” Premer remarked. “They went there to party, it’s a destination for Dec. 31, it’s very festive, there were people of many nationalities … and it all turned into a tragedy.”

In the crowd, Paola Ponti Greppi, a 80-year-old Italian who has a house in Crans-Montana, called for safety checks in bars. “We need more safety in these places because it’s not the only place like this. Why didn’t the town do the proper checks? For me that’s terrible.”

A Mass for the victims

During the Mass, the Rev. Gilles Cavin spoke of the “terrible uncertainty” for families unsure if their loved ones are among the dead or still alive among the injured. “There are no words strong enough to express the dismay, anguish, and anger of those who are affected in their lives today. And yet, we are here, gathered because silence alone is not enough,” he said.

In the crowded pews, a grieving woman listened intently, her hands clasped tightly and sometimes clasping rosary beads, as speakers delivered readings in German, French and Italian.

Forty people died and 119 were injured in the blaze that broke out around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday at Le Constellation bar. Police have said many of the victims were in their teens to mid-20s.

By Sunday morning, Swiss authorities identified 24 out of the 40 fatalities. They include 18 Swiss citizens aged 14 to 31 years, two Italians 16 years old, one dual citizen of Italy and the United Arab Emirates also 16 years old, an 18-year-old Romanian, a 39-year-old French and a Turkish citizen, 18.

A grieving mother

One of the victims was 16-year old Arthur Brodard, whose mother had been frantically searching for him.

“Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise,” a visibly shaken Laetitia Brodard said in a Facebook story posted on Saturday night, speaking to camera. “We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light.”

Brodard’s frenzied search for her son reflected the desperation of families of the young people disappeared during the fire, who did not know whether their loved ones were dead or in the hospital.

Swiss authorities said the process of identifying victims was particularly hard because of the advanced degree of the burns, requiring the use of DNA samples. Brodard also had given her DNA sample to help in the identification process.

In her Facebook post, she thanked those who “testified their compassion, their love” and to those who shared information as she anxiously searched and waited for news of her son. Other parents and siblings are still waiting in anguish.

Bar managers face a criminal investigation

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation of the bar managers.

The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, the Valais region’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, told reporters Saturday. The announcement of the investigation did not name the managers.

Investigators said Friday they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling of the crowded bar.

Authorities planned to look into whether sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Officials said they also would look at other safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced a national day of mourning for the victims on Jan. 9.

France’s Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said 17 patients have received care in France, out of a total of 35 transferred from Switzerland to five European countries. Other patients were planned to be transferred to Germany, Italy and Belgium.

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Associated Press journalists Kostya Manenkov in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Claudia Ciobanu in Warsaw contributed to this report