A teenage girl educated in the UK is feared missing after a devastating New Year’s Eve blaze gutted a Swiss ski resort bar, killing at least 40 partygoers.
Charlotte Niddam Among Missing in Swiss Fire
Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Niddam, a pupil at Immanuel College in Hertfordshire, has vanished following the deadly inferno at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Valais. The packed venue erupted in flames as hundreds celebrated the arrival of 2026.
Charlotte’s family, recently returned to France after years in the UK, say she frequently babysat locally. Her fate is now unknown.
“We are all praying for a miracle for Charlotte and the others,” said an Immanuel College spokesman. “The families have asked everyone to keep them in their thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.”
Friends and Family Plead for News
Heartbroken classmates have flooded TikTok with photos and videos, desperate for any sign of Charlotte. One wrote, “My sweet sweet special Lottie, I love you more than the meaning of life. I miss you.”
The Niddams once lived in a £1.3million home near Watford. Neighbours remember Charlotte as “kind” and “so clever” — stunned by the tragedy.
Deadly New Year’s Fire Sparked by Sparklers
Witnesses blame sparklers waved near the ceiling for igniting the blaze in the packed club, which held around 200 revellers. Over 100 people were injured; at least 40 died, including 16-year-old Italian golf prodigy Emanuele Galeppini.
The Italian Golf Federation paid tribute to the young star.
Authorities are struggling to identify victims due to severe burns, relying on DNA and dental records. Hospitals across Switzerland and neighbouring countries are treating survivors, many badly injured.
Families Face Tormenting Wait for Answers
Parents of missing teens, including Laetitia Brodard whose 16-year-old son Arthur remains unaccounted for, describe the wait as “unbearable.”
“I won’t stop searching. I won’t give up to know if my son is alive or gone to the other side,” Brodard vowed.
Rescue teams continue their grim work as the full horror of the disaster unfolds.
