Italy Mourns Teen Victims of Swiss New Year’s Eve bar Fire
A wave of grief swept across Italy on Wednesday, January 7, as funerals were held for four of the teenagers who perished in the devastating fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of 40 people aged 14 to 39 and injured 116 others, has sparked national mourning and calls for accountability.
A Nation in Sorrow
Thousands of mourners gathered across Italy to pay their respects to the young victims, a testament to the profound impact of the New Year’s Eve disaster. The outpouring of emotion underscored the shared grief felt throughout both Switzerland and Italy, as communities grappled with the senseless loss of life.
Milan Honors Chiara Costanzo and Achille Barosi
The city of Milan was particularly affected, hosting the funerals of Chiara Costanzo and Achille Barosi, both 16 years old. At the Church of Sainte-Marie-des-Grâces, a large crowd overflowed into the streets to honor Chiara, bringing with them roses and white balloons. “I’m so angry that you were taken from your life at 16,” Chiara’s sister,Elena,shared through tears,addressing the congregation. “What I feel now is only a grate emptiness. I promise you that I will live my life as best as possible and that I will dedicate all my successes to you.” The scene was one of profound sorrow as Chiara’s coffin was carried from the church, met with applause from the assembled crowd and the heartbroken sobs of her mother.
Nearby, at the Saint-Ambroise basilica, hundreds of high school students, parents, and teachers gathered to mourn Achille. Described as a “strong young man, full of qualities, determined but kind,” by Don Alberto Rivolta, the basilica’s youth vicar, Achille was remembered for his love of both literature and life. As his coffin was prepared to leave, relatives sang lyrics by the artist Achille Lauro: “And if a single night was enough, yes, to make us disappear/Erased us in a flash like a meteorite.”
Calls for Justice and Accountability
The grief was coupled with a demand for answers. Andrea Costanzo, Chiara’s father, spoke to journalists after meeting with the Minister of Education, stating, “Chiara had a thirst for life and was forced to give up on her dreams too early, something no young person should have to endure.” He continued, “Italy has shown remarkable humanity and sensitivity but now is the time to demonstrate professionalism and efficiency and shed light on this matter” so that “such tragedies will never happen again.”
Nationwide Remembrance
the mourning extended beyond Milan. In Bologna, the funeral of Giovanni Tamburi was held, while in Lugano, Switzerland, services were conducted for Sofia Prosperi, a Swiss-Italian victim. In Rome, the “Ave Maria” rang out from the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul during the funeral of Riccardo Minghetti, 16. Schools across Italy observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims, marking a somber return to classes after the holiday break.
Bishop Andrea Manto, speaking at Riccardo’s funeral, acknowledged the incomprehensible nature of the tragedy, stating, “In the face of such tragedy, there are no words and when life confronts us with situations like this, we see how absurd and unpredictable it all is.” The service was held amidst photographs of Riccardo, a poignant reminder of the vibrant life cut short.
The funerals represent a collective moment of grief and remembrance,but also a call for a thorough examination into the circumstances surrounding the fire at Le Constellation,ensuring that such a devastating event is never repeated.
