A British-educated teenage girl and her father are among those feared missing following a devastating fire that ripped through a bar in Switzerland on New Year's Eve, claiming at least 40 lives.
Search Continues for Missing Father and Daughter
Charlotte Niddam, believed to be 15 years old and educated in the UK, and her father, Jerome Niddam, have not been heard from since the horrific blaze. The fire broke out in the early hours of 31 December 2025 at a bar located in the popular ski resort of Crans-Montana, in the Valais region of Switzerland.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the inferno spread rapidly. The death toll, which currently stands at 40, is feared to rise as rescue workers continue to sift through the wreckage. The cause of the fire is under urgent investigation by Swiss authorities.
Community in Mourning After Alpine Resort Tragedy
The incident has sent shockwaves through the close-knit Alpine community and the wider international visitors who frequent the resort. Crans-Montana is a well-known destination for winter sports enthusiasts, and the tragedy has cast a dark shadow over the New Year period.
Local officials and crisis teams are providing support to the families of the victims and those still awaiting news of missing loved ones. The identities of many of the deceased have not yet been formally released, as the process of identification continues.
This remains a breaking news story, with updates expected as the search and recovery operation progresses. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed it is in contact with the Swiss authorities and is providing support to the family of the missing British-educated teenager.
