Swiss police identify first 4 victims of deadly bar fire in Crans-Montana

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Valais cantonal police said Saturday it has identified the first four victims who died in a bar fire that broke out on New Year's night at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

In a statement, police said that "in connection with the fire that occurred on New Year’s Eve at the bar 'Le Constellation' in Crans-Montana, the Valais cantonal police have identified four victims and return their bodies to their families."

Authorities said the "extensive" identification process involved multiple institutions and was carried out over the past hours, identifying "two Swiss women aged 21 and 16 and two Swiss men aged 18 and 16."

Following the completion of these procedures, police confirmed that "the bodies of the deceased victims were handed over to their families."

The statement added that investigations and identification procedures concerning other victims are ongoing, noting that any new information will be communicated "as soon as possible."

Police said no additional details will be released for now out of respect for the relatives.

The blaze at the bar killed 40 people and injured 119 others, officials have said. Most of the injured people have been identified, while the medical situation remains critical for many survivors, according to the Valais police.