Six Italian teenagers killed in the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana have now been formally identified. Most were flown back to Italy on Monday, as repatriations continued following the disaster that claimed at least 40 lives.
A C-130 transport plane left Sion shortly after 11:00 and landed at Milan Linate just after midday. From there, the coffins of 16-year-olds Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo were transferred to Lombardy. The body of their peer Giovanni Tamburi travelled to Bologna.
Genoa received the coffin of almost 17-year-old Emanuele Galeppini, a promising golf player. The state flight then continued to Rome Ciampino, where the body of 16-year-old Riccardo Minghetti arrived.
The only victim not flown back was Sofia Prosperi, an Italian-Swiss teenager who lived in Lugano. Her funeral will take place in the Swiss city.
Italy’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, confirmed that state funerals would be offered to the families of the six Italian teenagers killed. He also announced that repatriation costs would be covered by the Italian government.
Transfer of injured continues
Meanwhile, the transfer of injured teenagers to Italy continued. Since 1 January, 11 have arrived at Niguarda Hospital in Milan. Seven remain in serious condition. On Sunday afternoon, a 16-year-old student known as Kean was transferred from Zurich. He had been staying in Switzerland with Francesca, who is also hospitalised in Milan’s major burns centre.
Three patients remain in Switzerland. “They are being monitored by our team and Swiss medical staff,” said Civil Protection team leader Massimiliano Borzetti. All three are in critical condition and will be moved only if fit for transport.
Formal identification of all 40 victims was completed on Sunday evening. The final list includes victims from Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, Portugal and Israel, ranging in age from 14 to 33.
Speaking in Crans-Montana, Ambassador Cornado described the fire as preventable. “This was not a tragedy, but an avoidable one,” he said. “It would have taken prevention and basic common sense.”
Mass and silent march through Crans-Montana
His comments came after a Mass and silent march through the town. Swiss authorities have announced a national day of mourning for Friday, 9 January.
During the service, Bishop of Sion Jean-Marie Lovey spoke of light in the face of darkness. “It is unbearable to be in the dark,” he told the congregation.
Several thousand people attended the procession. Silence filled the streets, broken only by tears and applause for rescue workers, police and firefighters, many of whom were visibly overcome with emotion.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy stood with the families of Swiss victims. He added that Swiss prosecutors had assured him justice would proceed with determination.
The French couple who own the Le Constellation bar have been charged with negligent homicide.
