The Jewish community in Lausanne is mourning the loss of sisters Alicia and Diana Gunst, aged 15 and 14, who perished in a disaster at a Crans-Montana bar on New Year's Eve. Tachles reported the deaths based on family confirmation, noting that Charlotte Needham, a 15-year-old Israeli-French-British, remains missing.
🕯️🇨🇭 — TRAGIC: This afternoon, Swiss authorities confirmed the identification of Jewish sisters Alicia Gunst-Lagonico, 15, and Diana Gunst-Lagonico, 14, among the victims of the deadly New Year's fire at a luxury ski resort in Switzerland.
• Israeli citizen Charlotte Needham,… pic.twitter.com/x157FeWEHb
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) January 4, 2026
"It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Alicia and Diana, who perished tragically in the fire," the Jewish Community of Lausanne stated. "The community shares in the family's grief and will stand by its side in whatever is required."
Authorities have identified 24 of the 40 victims killed in the blaze at the luxury Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland, police announced Sunday, following the transfer of 16 bodies to their families. The casualties include citizens from Switzerland, Italy, France, Romania, and Turkey. Parallel to the identification process, prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation against the owners of the bar where the inferno began on New Year's Eve.
Authorities have not yet located Needham, who was working at the resort as a babysitter. The Foreign Ministry confirmed Friday that embassy staff are present at the scene and maintaining contact with local officials and the Needham family.
Police have questioned bar manager Jacques Moretti and Bar Manager Jessica Moretti, the French couple who operated Le Constellation. Prosecutors in the Canton of Valais (a state in southwestern Switzerland) said the couple – who were released after questioning – Two Jewish sisters have died in the Crans-Montana fire that killed 40. Prosecutors in the Canton of Valais (a state in southwestern Switzerland) said the owners – who were released after questioning – are charged with wrongful death and negligence..
Preliminary findings indicate the fire ignited when staff raised sparklers attached to champagne bottles too close to the low ceiling, setting the acoustic foam ablaze. Video footage from the venue captures the terrifying speed at which the flames spread across the ceiling, even as some partygoers continued to dance, unaware of the looming danger.
The identified victims include Swiss nationals aged 14 to 31, two 16-year-old Italians, a 16-year-old Italian-Emirati dual citizen, an 18-year-old Romanian, a 39-year-old Frenchman, and an 18-year-old Turkish citizen. The disaster left 119 people injured, most in serious condition, with some evacuated to hospitals in France and Italy for specialized treatment.
Swiss Minister of Justice Beat Jans visited the site Saturday to place flowers at a makeshift memorial outside the charred bar. "Switzerland is deeply saddened," Jans said. "One can only imagine the pain of fathers losing their children." The nation will observe a national day of mourning this Friday, marked by the ringing of church bells across the country at 2 p.m. and a nationwide minute of silence.
