Swiss bar blaze: numerous teenagers identified among the dead

Valais police said they identified 16 more victims of the New Year's Eve bar blaze in Crans-Montana, bringing the total identified to 24, and reported that some of those killed were teenagers as young as 14.

Police in the Valais region reported new identifications of victims from the New Year's Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana. Sixteen more fatalities were identified on Sunday, bringing the number of identified victims to 24. Officials said the newly identified dead include teenagers as young as 14 and several people aged 16 to 18. Authorities said work to identify other victims and to support those injured is continuing. Known details: - Police identified 16 more victims on Sunday, bringing the identified total to 24. - Among those identified are teenagers as young as 14, and multiple victims aged 16 to 18; some adults were also identified. - Authorities reported about 119 people were injured, and several were transferred to hospitals in Europe. - The regional prosecutor said the fire likely began when "fountain candle" sparklers were held too close to the ceiling, and two people who ran the bar are under criminal investigation on suspicion of offences including homicide by negligence. Summary: The new identifications confirm that many of the victims were teenagers and the community has held memorial gatherings. Investigations and identification work are ongoing; next procedural steps are undetermined at this time.