All the victims of Swiss bar fire now identified, Swiss police say

NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING

Switzerland will hold a national day of mourning on Friday, national president Guy Parmelin said on Sunday, with church bells ringing across the country and a minute’s silence planned.

“In this moment of reflection, everyone in Switzerland can personally remember the victims of the disaster,” Parmelin told newspaper Sonntagsblick.

The fire likely started when “fountain candle” sparklers were held aloft too close to the ceiling at the Constellation bar, the region’s chief prosecutor has said.

Some 119 people were injured, including many with severe burns.

The Swiss government said on Sunday that 35 patients have been transferred from hospitals in Switzerland to specialised clinics in Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy.

Two people who ran the bar are under criminal investigation on suspicion of offences including homicide by negligence, police said on Sunday.

Following an initial investigation, a criminal investigation has been launched into allegations against the two also for negligent bodily harm and negligently causing a fire.

The two people, who have not been named, have not been taken into custody because there was no indication they would try to evade the proceedings, the police said.