Swiss officials begin painful task of identifying 40 bodies involved bar fire

2 Jan 2026 • 3:18 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Swiss investigators are working to identify approximately 40 bodies following a New Year's Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.
  • The blaze, which occurred at an upscale ski resort party, also left 115 people injured, many of them seriously.
  • Due to the severe burns sustained by the victims, officials anticipate that the identification process could take several days.
  • Experts are using dental and DNA samples to ensure 100 per cent certainty before informing the anxious families of the deceased.
  • The incident is considered one of the worst tragedies in modern Switzerland, prompting concerns from foreign embassies regarding their nationals.

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