Pressure builds for answers over Swiss bar fire after victims identified

Pressure was building for answers on Monday from the investigation into a New Year bar fire in a Swiss ski resort that killed 40 people, after authorities said they had now identified all the victims, most of whom were teenagers.



The Alpine getaway of Crans-Montana in the canton of Valais united in mourning on Sunday with condolences coming in from leaders ranging from Pope Leo to Chinese President Xi Jinping.



Prosecutors said the fire that spread rapidly in the early hours of January 1 was likely caused by sparkling candles igniting the ceiling of the bar's basement.



Authorities are investigating the two people who ran the bar on suspicion of crimes including homicide by negligence.



On Sunday, police said circumstances did not currently merit them being put under arrest and they did not see a flight risk.



On Monday morning, Swiss newspaper Blick said anger over the case was growing.



"Why are the couple running the bar free?" the paper said on its front page, pasted over a photo of mourners and media gathered around the huge pile of flowers left in front of the "Le Constellation" bar.