A 15-year-old with British citizenship has been confirmed as one of the 40 victims who perished in a catastrophic fire at a Swiss ski resort bar, as authorities announced the completion of the identification process.
A Community in Mourning After New Year's Tragedy
The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday, 1st January 2026, at the Le Constellation bar in the popular resort of Crans-Montana. The blaze claimed 40 lives and left more than 100 people injured during New Year celebrations, marking one of Switzerland's deadliest peacetime disasters in recent history.
The victim, Charlotte Niddam, was a joint British, Israeli, and French national. She had previously attended Immanuel College, a private school in Hertfordshire. Her family announced her death in a poignant social media post, stating: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister, Charlotte." They indicated her funeral would likely be held in Paris.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper responded on social media platform X, calling it "terrible news" and extending her thoughts to Charlotte's family and friends.
Victims Remembered as Investigation Continues
Swiss police confirmed that all 40 victims have now been formally identified, a process described as difficult due to the severity of the fire. Many of those who died were teenagers and young adults in their teens to mid-20s, with a 14-year-old among the youngest.
Other victims publicly named include:
- Benjamin Johnson, a young boxer hailed as a hero for trying to aid a friend.
- Tristan Pidoux, another teenager.
- Italian nationals Emanuele Galeppini, 17, and Chiara Costanzo, 16.
- Swiss 16-year-old Arthur Brodard.
Arthur Brodard's mother, Laetitia, paid tribute on Facebook, writing: "Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise... We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light."
A Silent March in Sub-Zero Temperatures
Hundreds of mourners, including emergency service workers, gathered in Crans-Montana to remember the victims. In temperatures of -10C, they attended a mass at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe, led by Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey of Sion, before joining a silent memorial procession to the site of the burnt-out bar.
During the service, Reverend Gilles Cavin spoke of the "terrible uncertainty" endured by families in the aftermath. Hundreds more followed the ceremony on a screen installed outside the packed church.
The criminal investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing, with a focus on champagne sparklers lit inside the venue, the ceiling foam, and the location and quality of emergency exits. The two managers of Le Constellation bar are under criminal investigation.
