The Swiss Alps, with their snow-draped peaks and twinkling resort towns, have long been a beacon of winter joy, drawing families and thrill-seekers to places like Crans-Montana, a luxurious haven known for its ski slopes and vibrant nightlife. But on New Year’s Eve 2025, this idyllic setting became the stage for an unthinkable tragedy. A ferocious fire erupted in the basement of Le Constellation bar, transforming a lively celebration into a deadly inferno that claimed 40 lives—mostly teenagers—and injured 119 others. Among the victims was 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, a bright and beloved girl who had attended schools in the UK, whose family announced her death “with great sadness” on January 5, 2026, leaving communities in London, Paris, and Crans-Montana reeling.

Charlotte’s story, intertwined with those of other young victims like Giovanni Tamburi, Arthur Brodard, and Emanuele Galeppini, has captured global attention, underscoring the devastating toll of the blaze and raising urgent questions about safety in public venues. As families grieve and investigators probe the causes, the loss of Charlotte—a girl described as a radiant daughter and sister—has become a poignant symbol of a generation cut short.

A Bright Star from a Global Life

Charlotte Niddam was a teenager whose life bridged cultures and continents. Born into a family with French, Israeli, and British ties, she spent her formative years in the UK, attending the prestigious Immanuel College in Hertfordshire and the Jewish Free School (JFS) in north-west London. Known for her intelligence, warmth, and zest for life, Charlotte was a standout student with a knack for connecting with others. According to reports, she was spending the holiday season in Crans-Montana, where she worked as a babysitter during school breaks, a role listed on the resort’s tourism website. Her multilingual background and vibrant personality made her a favorite among families in the resort, where she brought joy to children and peace of mind to parents.

On December 31, 2025, Charlotte joined hundreds of young revelers at Le Constellation, a basement bar popular with teenagers and tourists for its casual vibe and lively dance floor. The venue, unlike the upscale clubs of Crans-Montana’s wealthier clientele, offered an accessible space for young people to celebrate. With Switzerland’s drinking age at 16, the bar was packed with teens, many on holiday with families or friends, toasting the new year with champagne and sparklers. Charlotte, dressed for the festive night, was among them, unaware that a catastrophic chain of events was about to unfold.

A Spark Ignites Disaster

The fire began around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, in the basement of Le Constellation, where the majority of the 300 partygoers were gathered. Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud reported that sparklers attached to champagne bottles, held too close to the ceiling, likely ignited flammable foam soundproofing material. BBC Verify analyzed survivor videos showing flames erupting on the ceiling above lit sparklers, confirming the rapid “flashover” that engulfed the room in seconds. The foam, possibly untreated polyurethane, produced dense, toxic smoke, accelerating the fire’s spread and choking those inside.

Witnesses described a surreal shift from festivity to terror. “We thought it was part of the show,” survivor Emma, 18, told Reuters. “Then the smoke came, and we couldn’t breathe.” The basement’s low ceiling and wooden interiors fueled the blaze, while a narrow staircase and a reportedly inaccessible rear door created a deadly bottleneck. Videos showed teenagers attempting to douse flames with T-shirts, unaware of the danger, before panic set in. Survivors like Axel recounted hiding behind tables or smashing windows to escape, but many, including Charlotte, were trapped in the crush or overcome by smoke.

Emergency services mobilized quickly—150 firefighters, 42 ambulances, and 13 helicopters raced to the scene—but the fire’s ferocity was overwhelming. By dawn, the toll was staggering: 40 dead, mostly from smoke inhalation, and 119 injured, many with severe burns. Hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and even Milan and Paris received patients, some unrecognizable. The severity of the burns complicated identification, forcing families into an agonizing wait.

The Search for Charlotte

Charlotte’s family, like those of Giovanni Tamburi and Arthur Brodard, endured days of torturous uncertainty. Initially listed among the missing, she was one of many whose fate hung in limbo as forensic teams used DNA and dental records to identify victims. Her family’s hope—that she might be among the injured in a hospital—faded as days passed. On January 5, Swiss police confirmed the identification of all 40 victims, including Charlotte, whose death was announced by her family in a heartfelt social media post: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister Charlotte.” They noted her funeral would take place in Paris, reflecting her French roots. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed condolences on X, calling the loss “terrible news.”

The announcement sent shockwaves through the UK, where Charlotte’s time at Immanuel College and JFS had left a lasting impression. Classmates and teachers remembered her as a “ray of sunshine,” with a quick wit and a passion for learning. A former JFS teacher told The Independent: “Charlotte was the kind of student who made every day brighter. Her loss is unfathomable.” In Crans-Montana, locals who knew her as a babysitter shared stories of her patience and laughter, noting how she’d play games with children long after her shifts ended.

A Youthful Tragedy

The Crans-Montana fire’s toll was heartbreakingly young. Of the 40 victims, 26 were teenagers, with the youngest—a Swiss girl and a French boy—only 14. The list included 21 Swiss, seven French, six Italians, and others from Romania, Turkey, Portugal, Belgium, and Charlotte, who held French, Israeli, and British citizenship. The bar’s appeal to teenagers, facilitated by Switzerland’s low drinking age, drew a crowd of holidaymakers and locals, many experiencing their first New Year’s Eve away from home. Other named victims included Giovanni Tamburi, a 16-year-old Italian whose mother recounted his friend’s desperate escape attempt, and Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old Italian golfer mourned by the Italian Golf Federation for his “passion and authentic values.”

The youth of the victims has amplified the tragedy’s impact. Le Constellation, described as “cheap and cheerful” compared to Crans-Montana’s upscale venues, was a magnet for teens seeking fun without the exclusivity of high-end clubs. Ulysse Brozzo, a 16-year-old ski instructor, told The Guardian that the bar’s basement dance floor was a go-to spot, but its layout—narrow stairs and a single main exit—likely trapped many. “It’s a total tragedy,” he said, noting friends in comas or missing.

A Community in Grief

Crans-Montana, a resort of 10,000 known for its views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, has been transformed by loss. Makeshift memorials outside the bar overflow with flowers, candles, and notes: “You are all our children,” reads one. On January 5, over 2,000 mourners joined a silent march from Chapelle Saint-Christophe, where Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey led a tearful Mass, attended by Italy’s ambassador and local leaders. Firefighters, hailed as heroes, stood arm-in-arm, sobbing for those they couldn’t save. Switzerland observed five days of national mourning, with church bells ringing and flags at half-mast.

In London, the Jewish community held vigils, with JFS students creating a tribute wall for Charlotte. In Paris, her family prepared for her funeral, supported by condolences from global leaders, including the Pope. Véronique Barras, a Crans-Montana resident, told The Guardian: “We are all brothers and sisters in humanity. We must hug each other and move toward light.”

The Quest for Justice

The fire’s cause has sparked outrage and a criminal investigation. Valais prosecutors are probing the bar’s owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, for manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson by negligence. Despite claims of passing inspections three times in 10 years, questions linger about the foam’s compliance, the adequacy of exits, and the use of indoor sparklers—a practice documented in videos from 2024. Fire safety experts told BBC Verify that untreated polyurethane foam can ignite rapidly, producing deadly smoke. Survivors’ accounts of a locked or blocked rear door and a cramped staircase suggest critical failures.

Attorney General Pilloud emphasized that no liability has been confirmed, but the investigation will scrutinize building codes and capacity limits. Residents like Paola Ponti Greppi, an 80-year-old Italian, demanded accountability: “Why didn’t the town do proper checks? It’s terrible.” Calls for Alps-wide safety reforms—banning indoor sparklers, mandating fire-resistant materials, and ensuring multiple exits—are gaining traction.

A Legacy of Light

Charlotte Niddam’s loss, alongside those of her fellow victims, has left an indelible mark. Her family’s statement spoke of her as a “beautiful daughter and sister,” a sentiment echoed by those who knew her in the UK and Switzerland. Her story, like Giovanni’s desperate run with a friend or Arthur’s mother’s plea for his return, underscores the human cost of negligence. Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin called the fire “one of the worst tragedies our country has experienced,” vowing to honor the young lives lost by preventing future disasters.

As Crans-Montana’s slopes reopen and tourists return, the scars remain. Charlotte’s memory, alongside those of the 39 others, lives in the candles lit, the prayers offered, and the reforms demanded. Her life—vibrant, global, and far too short—reminds us to cherish the young, demand safety, and hold space for grief. The Niddam family requests privacy as they mourn, encouraging donations to fire safety and youth programs in Charlotte’s honor.