Italy received with deep sorrow, this Monday (5), the bodies of five of the six Italian teenagers killed in Fire in a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.The transfer was carried out by a C130 aircraft from the Military Aeronautics Command, which transported the mortal remains of Achille Barosi, Chiara Costanzo, Giovanni Tamburi, Emanuele Galeppini, and Riccardo Minghetti, all 16 years old.
The arrival of the coffins in Milan and Rome took place under a strong presence of ministers and local authorities. Amidst the grief, the tone is one of demands. "The families of the victims are asking for justice," declared the Italian ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, who is following the investigations.
According to the diplomat, Swiss authorities have already admitted critical structural flaws in the Le Constellation bar: the ceiling material "was not fireproof" and the emergency exits were so poorly marked that "in the midst of that disaster, the young people didn't even see them."
The tragedy, which occurred in the early hours of January 1st, left 40 dead and 116 injured. The fire is believed to have started after the use of pyrotechnic candles that ignited the foam lining of the ceiling. While managers Jacques Moretti and Jessica Maric are under investigation, the Crans-Montana city hall is also under fire for alleged negligence in inspections.
The funerals will take place on Wednesday (7). On the same day, all Italian schools will observe a minute of silence to honor the memory of the young people. The sixth Italian victim, Sofia Prosperi (15 years old), will be buried in Lugano, where she lived.
