Pope Leo XIV. met in the Vatican with the relatives of the victims of the tragic New Year’s fire in Crans-Montana, where 40 people died and another 116 were injured. He encouraged the survivors with words of faith and hope.
Pope Leo XIV. on Thursday, in a private audience in the Vatican, he received about 20 relatives of the victims of the New Year’s fire in the tourist resort of Crans-Montana. He told them that faith can help in the darkest and most painful moments. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
- The Pope received the relatives of the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana.
- He said that faith helps in difficult times.
- The relatives will also meet with the Italian representatives.
- 40 people died and 116 were injured in the bar fire.
- The bar’s owners face charges of negligence and arson.
“The faith that dwells in us illuminates the darkest and most painful moments of our lives with an irreplaceable light and helps us continue bravely on the way to our goal,” the Pope said. He also told the survivors that they will find joy again.
Meeting with Italian representatives
The group of relatives of the victims will also meet with the Secretary of the Italian Government, Alfredo Mantovano, and the Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio.
A fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed 40 people and injured 116 others during New Year’s celebrations. It was apparently caused by sparklers or some other type of fireworks attached to champagne bottles. The ceiling caught fire from them and the fire quickly spread to the entire bar. The investigation focuses on the foam insulation of the ceiling and whether it met fire safety regulations.
Accusations against the bar owners
The investigation is conducted only against the owners of the bar, who have been accused of involuntary manslaughter, involuntary bodily harm and involuntary arson. On Monday, a Swiss court sent the co-owner of the bar, Jacqua Moretti, to three months in custody.
Among the victims of the fire were six Italians, the youngest of whom was a 15-year-old girl.
