National Day of Mourning for Crans-Montana Fire Victims

The day is dedicated to remembering the victims, showing solidarity with the injured, and expressing support for all those affected.

40 people died in the tragedy on New Year’s Eve with more than 80 people still being treated in hospital.

The entire country is being asked to observe a moment of silence at 2pm on Friday.

This symbolises the grief the nation shares with all the families and friends directly affected, according to a statement from the Federal Chancellery.

The Federal Council will be represented by President Guy Parmelin, ministers Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans, and Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi.

The entire Valais State Council will also be present.

The ceremony will include readings, symbolic gestures, musical performances, and speeches by government officials.

PlanetSKI’s coverage of the Crans-Montana fire:

• 40 people killed in fire at bar in Crans-Montana
• Victims of Crans-Montana bar fire identified
• Crans-Montana bar not safety checked for five years
• Global ski community comes together to support Crans-Montana

Representatives from 37 countries, as well as from the European Union, are invited to the event, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) announced.

30 countries had confirmed their participation, including Italy with President Sergio Mattarella and France with President Emmanuel Macron.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, will also participate.

Other countries will be represented by their ambassadors.

Government representatives from several cantons are also participating.

Memorial events are taking place throughout the country.

The Zurich city council will hold a minute of silence at 2.00pm in Münsterhof to commemorate the victims.

The national memorial service will be broadcast to locations including Lausanne Cathedral and the church in Vevey, Vaud.

In Valais, memorial services are also planned in Sierre and Sion.

In Fribourg, a Mass will be held this evening at 6.15pm in St Nicholas Cathedral.

All national churches and other religious representatives in Switzerland will participate in the memorial ceremony.

At 2pm, the bells of the national churches throughout Switzerland will ring, followed by a minute of silence.

Parishes throughout Switzerland are being invited to keep their churches open during the day, providing space for prayer, silence, and mourning.

Where possible, pastoral care workers will be available in the churches to offer conversation.

Swiss Free Churches will also open their churches on the day of mourning.

Swiss Federal Railways is also participating in the national day of mourning with various measures.

Flags at train stations will be flown at half-mast, and announcements on trains will remind passengers of the minute of silence at 2pm.

All regional airports controlled by the Swiss air navigation service provider Skyguide, as well as the two major airports in Geneva and Zurich and Payerne, will not allow any takeoffs during the minute of silence.

In Bern, the flags of the Federal Parliament and other federal buildings will be flown at half-mast on Friday, as in many other locations throughout Switzerland.

Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

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