Teenagers as young as 14 were among the victims of the deadly fire at a ski resort bar in Switzerland, with one believed to have died saving his girlfriend.

Police in Valais canton, where the fatal blaze occurred at a bar packed with young people ringing in the New YearCrans-Montana, said 16 more victims had been identified and their bodies returned to their families.

To date, police said they have identified 24 of the people who died in the fire, which is known to have killed around 40 and injured more than 100 others.

Daniel Johnson, 18, died saving his girlfriend. (Swiss Boxing Federation)

One of the victims has confirmed to be 18-year-old Benjamin Johnson, who was a member of a boxing club in Switzerland.

The Swiss Boxing Federation announced his death, saying he had sacrificed himself for his girlfriend.

“Reports indicate he lost his life rushing to his girlfriend’s aid, thus saving her life,” SwissBoxing president Amir Orfia said.

Emanuele Galeppini has been remembered as a passionate individual. (Italian Golf Federation)

“This final act of selflessness perfectly reflects his character: he was someone who always helped others.”

Other young victims include a Swiss teenager aged 14, two aged 15, two aged 16 and one aged 17, as well as two Italians aged 16 and a 16-year-old teenager with dual nationality, according to police.

Nine of the newly identified victims were under the age of 18, police said.

Tristan Pidoux’s family shared their devastation after announcing he had died in the fire. (Instagram/@amiradiamondsgroup)

One of the Italian victims is confirmed to be Emanuele Galeppini, who was a keen golfer.

The Italian Golf Federation mourned his passing, saying the teenager was “a young athlete who carried passion and authentic values with him.”

Investigations into the owners of the bar in Switzerland have begun. (CNN)

The family of teenager Tristan Pidoux confirmed he had perished in the fire.

“We have just learned that our angel Tristan has left us… we are in shock,” the family announced on a social media post.

“I am devastated… life is so unfair.”

Questions grow about ID checks

Questions have now been raised about whether sufficient age checks were in place.

As authorities continue their investigation into the blaze, Sunday’s fresh victim details will add to the growing realisation and concern in Crans-Montana that many of the dead are some of the youngest in the community.

On Saturday, police announced they had opened an investigation into the managers of the bar for negligent manslaughter, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson. One of the bar’s co-owners has previously said “everything was done according to the rules.”

Under Swiss federal law, beer and wine can be sold to people from the age of 16, while spirits can only be sold to people aged 18 or over, according to the country’s Federal Office of Public Health.

People walk during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana. (AP)

Specific law in Valais canton states that from 10pm onwards those under 16 can access premises serving alcohol if accompanied by their legal guardian or another adult authorised by their legal guardian. The fire broke out at the resort bar around 1.30am local time, police said.

Local authorities have commented on the youth of the victims, with the president of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, saying many of those killed were “full of plans, hope and dreams.”

On Sunday, mourners attended a church service at Chapelle Saint-Christophe in Crans-Montana to pay their respects to the victims of the tragedy.

“Countless people join us – people whose hearts are broken,” Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey said during the service, according to Reuters news agency. “Many expressions of sympathy and solidarity reach us.”

The service was followed by a silent march toward the centre of Crans-Montana, where people were invited to lay flowers and sign a book of condolences, the church said on its website.

Italy to pursue legal action

Six Italian victims of the blaze have now been identified and their bodies are due to be flown back to Italy on Monday, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said via his spokesperson.

The Italian victims include one 15-year-old teenager, four 16-year-olds and another 17-year-old, Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland Gian Lorenzo Coronado said.

Cornado said Italy would pursue legal recourse against the bar owners on behalf of the families.

“Accidents happen, but this was not an accident but an avoidable tragedy: all it would have taken was a little prevention and a modicum of common sense,” he said, according to Italian media video of his comments.

Emotions were high at the memorial walk, with countries of the victims now demanding answers. (AP)

For their part, the French co-owner of the bar told Swiss newspaper Tribune de Genève Friday that the establishment had been inspected “three times in 10 years.”

“Everything was done according to the rules,” Jacques Moretti said.

CNN has contacted Le Constellation bar to ask whether the victims under the age of 16 were accompanied by a legal guardian or another authorized adult.

CNN has previously reached out to both Moretti and co-owner Jessica Anne Jeanne Moretti through their businesses for comment.

Reported with CNN.