The toll from the fire that broke out on New Year's Eve in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana is heavy: 40 dead and 119 injured . Among the deceased, nine French nationals lost their lives while celebrating the arrival of the new year.

While some identities remain protected by the authorities, the paths of several victims are beginning to emerge.

The staff of the bar "La Constellation"

Two young French people were working at the establishment where the fire broke out shortly after midnight.

1. Cyane Panine (24 years old): Franco-Swiss, originally from Sète (Hérault), she worked as a waitress. From a well-known family of Sète merchants (founders of the La Singulière brasserie), she had also lived in the Marquesas Islands.
2. Matéo Lesguer (23 years old): Originally from Angers, this music enthusiast had settled in Switzerland three years ago. He was DJing at the bar under his stage name "neoshyprod" when the tragedy occurred.

Diverse profiles from all over France

Other victims had come to Switzerland for holidays or to build their professional careers:

1. Giovanni Putelli (39 years old): Originally from the Vosges (Fresse-sur-Moselle), this father of two young children worked in the casino industry. After a stint in Plombières-les-Bains, he had been living in Switzerland for several years.
2. Noémie Dabin (26 years old): A management student in Toulouse, she had come to celebrate New Year's Eve with a friend (who is currently hospitalized). A fundraising campaign has been set up online by her loved ones to support her family.

Anonymous victims and a generation cut down in their prime

In accordance with Swiss police policy of discretion, the identities of the five other French victims have not been revealed. Their profiles, however, highlight the youth of those present that evening:

Age	Profile mentioned
14 and 17 years old	Two minors of French nationality.
15 years	A young girl with triple nationality (France/Israel/Great Britain).
20, 23, 26 and 33 years old	Four adults identified as French nationals.

Note: The authorities continue to work on the formal identification and support of families, while respecting the anonymity of victims whose relatives have not wished to communicate.