All Crans victims identified - half were under 17

Image from inside the bar just before the tragedy

Authorities in canton Valais say all victims of the New Year’s Eve fire in the resort of Crans-Montana have now been formally identified.

Forty people died when the blaze broke out at the Constellation bar.

Police confirmed that half of those killed were minors, aged between 14 and 17. 

The victims came from several countries, including Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Romania and Turkey, and ranged in age from 14 to 39.

Identifications were completed over several days, allowing bodies to be returned to families. 

The tragedy has deeply affected the region and prompted an outpouring of sympathy at home and abroad.

Meanwhile, the alpine resort remains open. 

Concerts and festivities have been cancelled, and nightlife scaled back, but ski slopes and cafés are operating. 

Many tourists have chosen to stay, expressing sympathy for the victims while supporting a local economy heavily dependent on tourism. 

Authorities say the resort is moving forward with restraint and respect.

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