Swiss police identify all 116 people injured in deadly New Year’s bar fire

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — Swiss authorities announced on Monday that all the individuals injured in a devastating fire at a New Year’s celebration in a crowded bar have been identified. The total number of injured individuals stands at 116, with over two-thirds still receiving treatment in hospitals.

Previously, authorities had reported 119 injured individuals in addition to the 40 fatalities. However, it was revealed on Monday that three individuals who were initially linked to the fire had been admitted to hospitals in error on the night of the incident in Crans-Montana.

Among the injured are citizens from various countries, including Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Poland, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the Republic of Congo. Additionally, there are individuals holding dual nationality from France and Finland, France and Italy, Switzerland and Belgium, and Italy and the Philippines.

As of now, 83 of the injured individuals remain hospitalized, although no further details about their conditions were provided.

The severity of burns sustained by some victims has made the identification process challenging, requiring families to provide DNA samples to assist authorities.

Italian authorities recently repatriated the bodies of five victims from the airport in Sion, with a somber ceremony held as the coffins were carried to an Italian Air Force C-130 cargo plane.

Investigators believe that the fire was ignited by festive sparkling candles placed on Champagne bottles that came into contact with the ceiling.

A criminal investigation has been initiated by Swiss authorities against the bar managers, who are suspected of involuntary homicide, bodily harm, and causing the fire unintentionally, as stated by the region’s chief prosecutor in Valais.