In the early hours of New Year’s Day 2026, as fireworks lit up the Swiss Alps, a night of celebration at the upscale Crans-Montana ski resort turned into one of the country’s worst tragedies. A massive fire erupted inside Le Constellation, a popular bar packed with young revelers welcoming 2026. The blaze claimed 40 lives and left over 100 others injured, many critically, turning a festive gathering into a scene of unimaginable horror.

Among the victims was 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, a bright teenager who had gone out with friends to mark the New Year and look forward to his upcoming 17th birthday. His mother, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, received what would become his last messages just after midnight. At 0:03 a.m. on January 1, her phone lit up with a warm greeting: “Happy New Year, Mom, I love you.” She replied tenderly, “I love you, my big boy,” unaware it was a farewell.

Around 1:28 a.m., she viewed a short video Arthur had sent to friends, capturing the joy at their table—laughter, toasts, and the carefree spirit of youth. But soon after, the fire started, spreading rapidly through the crowded venue. Panic ensued as smoke filled the air and flames blocked exits. Arthur, trapped amid the chaos, managed one more desperate message to his mother, conveying the terror he faced: the unbearable heat, the suffocating smoke, and his realization that escape was impossible.

For the next 40 agonizing hours, Laetitia clung to hope. She scoured social media, shared photos of her son, provided DNA samples, and described his clothing in detail, praying he might be among the unidentified injured rushed to hospitals across Switzerland and beyond. Families gathered near the charred remains of Le Constellation, hugging strangers in shared grief, while emergency teams worked tirelessly amid the devastation. The bar, a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike, had been overflowing that night, amplifying the scale of the loss.

Half of the fatalities were under 18, with the youngest victim just 14—a stark reminder of how many young lives were cut short. Arthur’s case captured global attention as his mother’s public pleas highlighted the raw pain of waiting for confirmation. She spoke of sleepless nights, endless calls to hotlines, and the crushing uncertainty that gripped every parent searching for a child.

Eventually, authorities identified all victims through DNA and other means. Laetitia learned the devastating truth: her son had perished in the inferno. In an emotional video posted online, she announced, “Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise. We can start our mourning, knowing he is in peace and in the light.” Her words echoed the sorrow of an entire community.

The tragedy at Crans-Montana has left Switzerland in mourning. Vigils were held, with hundreds marching in silence to honor the lost. Questions linger about the fire’s cause—whether negligence, overcrowding, or other factors played a role—but for now, the focus remains on grieving families like Laetitia’s. A mother’s love, captured in those final texts, now serves as a poignant reminder of lives extinguished too soon in what should have been a night of joy.