In view of the international dimension of the tragedy, the Federal Chancellery, together with the Presidential Department and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has set up a task force. At the request of the Valais authorities, this task force is assisting with the organisation of the ceremony and is particularly responsible for inviting and hosting representatives from other states and international media.

Five days after the tragic incident, the investigating authorities have confirmed that 40 people have lost their lives so far. 116 people were injured. All of the victims and injured persons have now been identified. 83 injured persons are currently still hospitalised.

According to the information provided by the Valais cantonal police as of 5 January, among the deceased persons there are 21 Swiss nationals, one person with dual Swiss-French nationality, seven people from France, six people from Italy, one person each from Romania, Turkey, Portugal and Belgium, and one person with triple nationality (France/Israel/United Kingdom).

The injured include 68 Swiss nationals, 21 French nationals, ten Italian nationals, four Serbian nationals, two Polish nationals, and one each from Belgium, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Luxembourg, as well as four people with dual nationality (France/Finland – Switzerland/Belgium – France/Italy – Italy/Philippines).

More information on the FDFA website.