Families desperate for news after deadly Crans-Montana bar fire

Families of teenagers who were at a bar fire in the Swiss ski resort Crans-Montana have been making urgent appeals online as they wait for news about loved ones. Swiss officials said the blaze was likely caused by sparklers placed on champagne bottles that came "too close to the ceiling".

The Valais attorney general, Beatrice Pilloud, said investigators will examine the materials used at the site, the bar's fire safety measures, its capacity and how many people were inside. Authorities say the fire killed 40 people and injured 119. Of the injured, 113 have been identified; work continues to identify the remaining six.

Officials warned identification of victims could take days or weeks. Among those reported missing is 16-year-old Swiss national Arthur Brodard. His mother has been contacting hospitals and asked for his photo to be shared so anyone who recognises him can get in touch. Also missing is 16-year-old Italian Achille Osvaldo Giovanni Barosi, who went into the bar at 01:30 on New Year's Day to retrieve his jacket and phone and has not been heard from since, his family said.

The Italian foreign ministry said six of its citizens remain missing. One of them, junior golfer 16-year-old Emanuele Galeppini, was last heard from around midnight; the Italian Golf Federation has paid tribute to him, though the foreign ministry has not confirmed his death.

Key Topics

World, United States, Switzerland, Fire, Missing Teens, Crans-montana, Investigation