In the serene Swiss Alpine town of Crans-Montana, a solemn procession unfolded on Sunday as hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the victims of a devastating New Year’s Eve fire at a local bar that resulted in the loss of 40 lives and left many gravely injured.

Emerging from the Chapelle Saint-Christophe, mourners, their eyes brimming with tears, were accompanied by the haunting strains of organ music as they concluded an hour-long Mass. Outside, some shared embraces and others responded with applause before joining a silent march towards Le Constellation bar.

As the procession wound its way through the sunlit streets past closed shops, hundreds of participants, some clutching bouquets of flowers, moved in a continuous line. Above the town, snow machines filled the air with swirling white flakes, adding to the poignant atmosphere.

Upon reaching the hilltop near Le Constellation, which remained obscured by white screens, the assembled crowd stood in hushed silence, many overcome with emotion. Eventually, a wave of applause erupted, with gloved hands clapping in the chilly air, as people laid flowers, teddy bears, and other heartfelt tributes at a growing memorial.

‘They went there to party’

“In the face of such a tragic event, it’s vital to remember our shared humanity,” expressed Véronique Barras, a local who knows several of the grieving families. “Supporting one another, embracing each other, and moving towards hope are what matter most.”

Cathy Premer said her daughter was out celebrating her 17th birthday on Dec. 31 when she called in the early hours of the morning to say she was stuck because Le Constellation was cordoned off. “For the young – but even for adults – it’s hard to understand things that seem inexplicable,” she said. “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