Desperate families are enduring an agonising wait for news after a devastating fire ripped through a popular bar in a Swiss ski resort in the early hours of New Year's Day, claiming at least 40 lives. The tragedy at the Constellation bar in the upmarket resort of Crans-Montana has left a community in mourning and parents frantically searching for their missing children.
Heartbreaking Searches and Final Messages
Among those clinging to hope is Laetitia Broadard-Sitre, a 42-year-old housewife whose 16-year-old son, Arthur, vanished after the fire began. Arthur had sent his mother a text message wishing her a Happy New Year shortly after midnight, just about 90 minutes before the inferno took hold. Standing near the charred remains of the bar, Ms Broadard-Sitre fought back tears, telling reporters: "It's an unbearable wait. I won't stop searching, I won't give up."
The grief-stricken search extends to many other families. Relatives of Diana Gonset, 14, and Alicia Gonset, 15, believed to be sisters, have posted their photos online. They are thought to have been at the bar with Charlotte Niddam, a 15-year-old who previously attended Emmanuel College, a private Jewish school in Watford, before her family moved to Switzerland.
Melissa Rey has appealed for information about her missing sister, Caroline, who disappeared with friends Mariam Essouri and Emilie Pralong. Emilie's family posted a heart-rending online plea: "Emilie Pralong, where are you? We love you." The family of 15-year-old Alice Kallergis also made a public appeal, with her brother Romain stating he had seen children as young as 13 inside the venue.
A Rapid and Deadly Blaze
Swiss officials have revealed that the catastrophic fire is believed to have been caused by party sparklers. Valais attorney general Beatrice Pilloud stated that investigators think "sparkler candles" placed on champagne bottles were taken too close to the ceiling, which was made of sound-absorbing foam. This triggered a flashover, causing flames to spread across the ceiling in seconds.
Disturbing footage from inside the bar shows a flaming sparkler being carried inches from the ceiling, with revellers continuing to sing and dance, seemingly unaware of the imminent danger. The fire rapidly turned into a fireball, especially after a door was opened, feeding the blaze with oxygen.
In the aftermath, Swiss authorities have said it could take days to identify all the victims through methods including DNA testing. Some 119 people were injured, with 80 still in a "critical" condition, raising fears the death toll may climb further. The injured include nationals from Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia, Luxembourg, Belgium, Poland, and Portugal.
Questions of Safety and Acts of Heroism
Serious questions are now being asked about safety standards at the bar, run by French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti. Concerns have been raised about an apparent lack of visible exits, the venue allegedly exceeding its 300-person capacity, and reports of insufficient ID checks and indoor smoking.
Amid the horror, stories of remarkable bravery have emerged. Ferdinand Du Beaudiez, a 19-year-old student from Paris, described repeatedly running back into the burning building to rescue people. He recounted finding one person who was so badly burned he could not tell if they were a man or a woman. "I could only see teeth," he said. "It was terrifying. It felt like a war scene." His own brother remains in a coma.
The Pope has sent a message of support, and a memorial ceremony is scheduled for January 9th in Crans-Montana. A book of condolences will be opened online. As the criminal investigation continues, officials are examining potential charges of negligent homicide, with the prosecution vowing to spare no effort in determining the full circumstances of this profound tragedy.
