All 116 people injured in a bar fire at a Swiss ski resort have now been identified, officials have said.
Forty people were killed when a fire tore through a busy venue in Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, with victims' ages ranging from 14 to 39 years old.
While the dead had all previously been identified, work had been ongoing to establish the identities of the injured, some of whom remain in a critical condition.
Swiss police confirmed that 83 people are still in hospital, and the injured include at least 12 nationalities.
Most of the injured suffered severe burns, which in some cases led to difficulties in identification, according to police.
Investigators initially reported 119 injuries but revised this number down. A criminal investigation has been initiated into the French couple who managed the Le Constellation bar, known to be popular with a younger crowd in the ski resort town where the drinking age is 16.
Sparklers on bottles being carried too close to the ceiling are believed to be the likely cause of the fire, according to preliminary findings. Beatrice Pilloud, the Valais canton lead prosecutor, stated they are examining whether the acoustic foam on the venue's ceiling contributed to the disaster and if it adhered to regulatory compliance.
Details have begun to emerge about some victims. Charlotte Niddam, believed to be 15, was a pupil at two UK schools; her family wrote on social media about their profound grief. Arthur Brodard, 16, and junior golfer Emanuele Galeppini, 16, were also confirmed among the fatalities.
The tragic incident highlights the vulnerabilities associated with crowded venues and raises questions about safety regulations and management practices.
