Swiss Bar Fire: British Teen Among 40 Victims Identified in Crans-Montana Tragedy

Swiss Bar Fire: British Teen Among 40 Victims Identified in Crans-Montana Tragedy

A British teenager, Charlotte Niddam, has been confirmed among the 40 people killed in a devastating bar fire in Switzerland, as authorities announced that all victims of the tragedy have now been identified.

Charlotte, 15, a British, Israeli and French national, was among those who lost their lives when a fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, where revellers were celebrating the New Year. More than 100 people were injured in the blaze.

The teenager had previously attended Immanuel College, a private school in Hertfordshire.

In a statement shared on social media, her family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister, Charlotte. Details regarding the funeral arrangements will follow shortly. It is most likely on Thursday in Paris. Thank you for all your support these last few days.”

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also paid tribute, describing the news as “terrible” and offering condolences to the family and friends affected by the loss.

READ ALSO:

• Former AGF Urges US to Extend Air Strikes to Benue to Flush Out Terrorists, Bandits
• Olurode Warns: Trump’s Foreign Policy a Threat to Global Peace
• Late Fernandez Equaliser Earns Chelsea Point at Manchester City

Swiss police confirmed that all 40 victims of the fire have been identified but said no further personal details would be released at this stage.

Several victims have already been publicly named, many of them teenagers and young adults. Among them was Benjamin Johnson, a young boxer praised by the Swiss Boxing Federation for dying while trying to help a friend. Another teenager, Tristan Pidoux, was also confirmed dead by his family.

Other identified victims include Emanuele Galeppini (17) and Chiara Costanzo (16) from Italy, as well as Arthur Brodard (16) of Switzerland.

On Sunday, mourners gathered for a memorial mass at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe before joining a silent procession to the Le Constellation bar, where the fire occurred. Emergency responders attended the service, which was led by Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey of Sion, while hundreds more followed proceedings via an outdoor screen.

During the service, Reverend Gilles Cavin spoke of the anguish faced by families awaiting news of loved ones following the tragedy.

Swiss authorities said identifying the victims had been challenging due to the severity of the fire, noting that some victims were as young as 14 years old. The bodies have since been released to their families.

Investigators are continuing to probe the cause of the blaze, focusing on champagne sparklers, flammable ceiling foam, and the availability and condition of emergency exits.

The two managers of the bar are currently under criminal investigation, Swiss police confirmed.

Swiss Bar Fire: British Teen Among 40 Victims Identified in Crans-Montana Tragedy

skynews