The teenage boxer who died while attempting to save his friend during the Swiss ski resort bar fire has been pictured as officials confirm that all 40 people who lost their lives have now been identified.
Benjamin Johnson, 18, a member of the Lausanne Boxing Club, died alongside at least 39 others on New Year’s Eve as an inferno ravaged the popular Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the Swiss Boxing Federation paid tribute to the young victim, branding him a ‘hero’ in an emotional post.
‘It is with deep sadness that SwissBoxing learned of the death of Benjamin Johnson (Club Lausannois de Boxing), a victim of the tragedy in Crans-Montana,’ the post read.
‘Benjamin left us as a hero, helping his friend. Our thoughts are with his family, relatives and all the victims of this national tragedy’.
Speaking about his heroism, Swiss Boxing president Amir Orfia said: ‘This ultimate act of selflessness perfectly reflects who he was: someone who always helped others. Benjamin was a promising athlete and a radiant personality.
‘Having watched him grow up, first as a boxer and then as his coach, I remember him as a young man who was always positive, smiling and respectful. He was always the first to support his teammates.’
By Sunday evening, Swiss authorities revealed that all of the fire victims had been identified.
Benjamin Johnson, 18, a member of the Lausanne Boxing Club, died alongside at least 39 others on New Year’s Eve as an inferno ravaged the popular Constellation bar in Crans-Montana
A dramatic video captured the moment the ceiling of a Swiss ski bar caught fire
A number of the victims have been named but no further information will be released, police said.
Earlier in the day, only 24 out of the 40 fatalities had been identified. Another 119 were left injured in the blaze.
The youngest victims were two 14-year-olds – a French boy and a Swiss girl.
Twenty-six of the fatalities were aged 14 to 18. The oldest victim was a 39-year-old French man.
In total, there were 10 Swiss males aged 16 to 31; 11 Swiss females aged 14 to 24; one 24-year-old woman who held dual Swiss-French nationality; three 16-year-old Italian boys and two Italian girls aged 15 and 16, and five French males aged 14 to 39.
Two French woman aged 33 and 26; a 15-year-old girl with triple British-French-Israeli nationality; a 16-year-old boy who held dual Italian-UAE nationality; an 18-year-old Romanian boy; a Belgian 17-year-old girl; a Portuguese 22-year-old woman and an 18-year-old Turkish boy were also identified.
A 15-year-old British schoolgirl was also identified as a victim of the New Year’s Eve Crans-Montana ski resort bar fire.
The body of the victim, believed to be Charlotte Niddam, was reportedly identified with the help of Zaka, the Israeli emergency services organisation.
‘This is a very painful and difficult moment,’ said Zaka official Nachman Dickstein, according to Channel 12.
‘We’re still at work here with all of the officials, local authorities, Jewish communal representatives and an Israeli delegation to ensure that every stage [of the process] is carried out with sensitivity and the appropriate respect for the deceased and their families.’
In a post on social media, her family said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister, Charlotte.
‘Details regarding the funeral arrangements will follow shortly. It is most likely on Thursday in Paris. Thank you for all your support those last few days.’
The body of the victim, believed to be Charlotte Niddam, was reportedly identified with the help of Zaka, the Israeli emergency services organisation
In video footage someone can be seen trying desperately to extinguish the fire, but within seconds it takes hold, erupting into a deadly fireball that engulfs the packed bar
In addition to the official tally, Antonio Tajani, Italy’s deputy prime minister, confirmed on Sunday that the three Italians’ bodies would be flown home on a ‘state flight’.
They have been named as Achille Barosi, 16, from Milan, Giovanni Tamburi, 16, from Bologna, and 17-year-old golfer, Emanuele Galeppini, from Genoa, who had dual citizenship and lived in Dubai.
One of the victims was 16-year old Arthur Brodard, whose mother had been frantically searching for him.
‘Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise,’ a visibly shaken Laetitia Brodard said in a Facebook story posted on Saturday night.
‘We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light.’
In another tale of heroism similar to Johnson, Tahirys Dos Santos, a French football player was seriously injured in the fire after he went to rescue his girlfriend, Coline, who was trapped inside the Constellation bar.
Originally from Mont-Saint-Martin, the 19-year-old who plays for Metz, suffered severe burns to his body and was transferred from Switzerland to Germany by air ambulance.
His French club said it was saddened to hear the news and was working to have him transferred to a hospital closer to home as soon as possible.
‘Deeply affected by this news, the club’s management, players, coaches, and employees are in shock and are sending their thoughts to Tahirys as he battles his injuries,’ the club said in a statement on Facebook.
Christophe Hutteau, Dos Santos’s agent, told BFM TV that the footballer had fled the bar but returned when he realised his girlfriend was trapped inside.
‘He went back in to rescue her from the flames. He’s not only a victim, he’s a hero,’ he said.
Footage shows flames ripping through the Crans-Montana club as revellers continue singing, dancing and shouting – unaware they are already trapped in extreme danger
Chiara Costanzo, a 16-year-old student from Milan, and 15-year-old Sofia Prosperi, who has Italian and Swiss citizenship were also among the victims named on Sunday.
Investigators said on Friday that they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fatal fire at a Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of a bar crowded with New Year’s Eve revelers.
Authorities planned to look into whether the sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether sparklers were permitted for use in the bar.
The candles, which give off a stream of upward-shooting sparks, were the same type that is commonly available for parties, officials said.
Officials said they would also look at other safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.
Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general for the Valais region, warned of possible prosecutions if any criminal liability is found.
