Crans-Montana, a jewel of the Swiss Alps, has long been synonymous with luxury, its pristine slopes and charming chalets drawing skiers, families, and thrill-seekers from across the globe. But in the early hours of January 1, 2026, this haven of winter joy became the scene of an unthinkable tragedy. A ferocious fire tore through the basement of Le Constellation bar, transforming a New Year’s Eve celebration into a catastrophe that claimed 40 lives—mostly teenagers—and left 119 others injured, many critically. Among the victims was 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, a bright and beloved girl educated in the UK, whose loss has reverberated through communities in London, Paris, and beyond. On January 4, as over 2,000 mourners gathered for a memorial Mass and silent march in Crans-Montana, the weight of grief was palpable, a stark contrast to the festive spirit that had filled the resort just days before.

Charlotte Niddam was a teenager whose life bridged continents and cultures. With French, Israeli, and British citizenship, she had spent significant time in the UK, attending Immanuel College in Hertfordshire and the Jewish Free School in north-west London. Teachers and classmates remembered her as a radiant presence, her intelligence matched by a warmth that drew people to her. “Charlotte was the kind of student who made every day brighter,” a former teacher recalled, noting her quick wit and kindness. In Crans-Montana, where she was spending the holiday season, Charlotte worked as a babysitter, a role that highlighted her patience and playful spirit. She became a favorite among local families, who trusted her to care for their children during the busy holiday period.

On December 31, 2025, Charlotte joined hundreds of young revelers at Le Constellation, a basement bar known for its casual vibe and appeal to teenagers. Unlike the resort’s upscale nightclubs, Le Constellation was accessible, with no entry fee and a relaxed atmosphere that drew a diverse crowd of locals and tourists. Switzerland’s drinking age of 16 allowed teenagers to gather freely, and reports suggest even younger patrons, some as young as 13 or 14, were present. The bar was packed with around 300 people, dancing to hip-hop and toasting the new year with champagne bottles adorned with sparklers—a festive tradition that would prove deadly.

The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, in the bar’s basement, where the majority of partygoers were gathered. Authorities stated that sparklers on champagne bottles, held too close to the ceiling’s foam soundproofing, likely ignited the blaze. The foam, possibly non-flame-retardant polyurethane, produced thick, toxic smoke that choked the air, causing most deaths from inhalation rather than burns. Witnesses described a swift descent into chaos. “We thought it was part of the show,” one survivor recounted. “Then the smoke came, and we couldn’t breathe.” The basement’s low ceiling and wooden interiors fueled the fire, while a narrow staircase to the single main exit created a deadly bottleneck. Some survivors reported a rear door was either locked, obstructed, or inaccessible, trapping dozens inside.

Emergency services mobilized rapidly—150 firefighters, 42 ambulances, and 13 helicopters arrived within minutes—but the fire’s intensity limited rescues. By dawn, the toll was staggering: 40 dead, aged 14 to 39, and 119 injured, many with severe burns requiring transfers to specialist units across Europe. Hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, and Geneva reached capacity, prompting international coordination.

The victim list was a heartbreaking roll call of youth. Charlotte, at 15, was among the youngest, alongside a 14-year-old Swiss girl and a 14-year-old French boy. The demographics included 21 Swiss, nine French, six Italians, and others from multiple nations. Other named victims included Giovanni Tamburi, a 16-year-old from Bologna, whose mother shared a friend’s account of their failed escape, and Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old Italian golfer mourned for his passion. Alicia and Diana Gunst, 15 and 14-year-old Swiss Jewish sisters, were also among the lost, compounding the tragedy’s toll on tight-knit communities.

Identification was a grueling process, complicated by severe burns. Forensic teams relied on DNA, dental records, and personal items, with the final victims confirmed on January 4. Charlotte’s family, after days of uncertainty, announced her death: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister Charlotte.” They noted her funeral would likely take place in Paris. Condolences came from global leaders, including the Pope and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The memorial Mass on January 4 at Chapelle Saint-Christophe was a poignant moment of collective mourning. Over 2,000 people attended, with hundreds more watching on a screen outside in freezing temperatures. Inside, mourners clutched rosary beads and listened to readings in German, French, and Italian, led by Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey. Firefighters and rescue workers, hailed as heroes, stood arm-in-arm, sobbing for those they couldn’t save. “For the people of Crans, they are heroes,” a local said. The Mass was followed by a silent march through the frosty streets, a procession of grief that united residents, tourists, and officials, including Italy’s Ambassador to Switzerland.

Makeshift memorials outside Le Constellation grew daily, with flowers, candles, and notes piling up. One sign read: “Compassion for the victims and their families, Rest in Peace, You are all our children.” Teenagers gathered at the police cordon, lighting candles in impromptu vigils, while skiers and tourists paused to pay respects. “We will take your pain in our broken hearts,” read a message at the site, capturing the community’s resolve to honor the lost.

The tragedy has sparked a criminal investigation targeting the bar’s owners, a French couple, for manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson by negligence. Despite claims of passing inspections, questions persist about the foam’s compliance, the adequacy of exits, and the use of indoor sparklers. Survivors’ accounts of a locked or blocked rear door and a cramped staircase suggest critical failures. A regional security chief admitted the fire exit was present but likely inaccessible in the chaos.

An 80-year-old Italian resident voiced the community’s anger: “Why didn’t the town do proper checks? It’s terrible.” Fire safety experts noted that Swiss regulations require multiple exits for venues over 200 capacity and non-flammable materials, yet the bar’s setup appears to have fallen short. Calls for Alps-wide reforms—banning indoor pyrotechnics, mandating fire-resistant furnishings, and enhancing inspections—are gaining momentum.

The fire’s international toll prompted a global response. France’s Health Minister reported patients treated in France, part of transfers to five European countries. Italy’s Civil Protection team supported families in Crans-Montana, while condolences poured in from leaders like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin, who called it “one of the worst tragedies our country has experienced.” A national day of mourning is set for January 9, with church bells ringing and a minute’s silence planned.

In London, the Jewish community held vigils, with students creating a tribute wall for Charlotte. In Bologna, prayers for Giovanni Tamburi filled churches, while in Switzerland, locals spoke of unity: “We are all brothers and sisters in humanity.” Social media amplified the grief, with tributes and demands for accountability.

Charlotte Niddam’s loss, alongside those of her fellow victims, has left a void that transcends borders. Her family’s statement spoke of her as a “beautiful daughter and sister,” a sentiment echoed in tributes from the UK to Switzerland. Her story—of a girl who bridged worlds with her smile and spirit—underscores the tragedy’s human cost. As Crans-Montana’s slopes reopen, the scars remain, a reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for safety reforms.

The Niddam family has requested privacy as they prepare for Charlotte’s funeral in Paris. In her memory, and those of the 39 others, donations to fire safety initiatives and youth programs are encouraged. Their legacies—Charlotte’s kindness, Giovanni’s smile, Emanuele’s passion—demand a future where such tragedies are unthinkable. As candles flicker in the Alps, the world mourns, but it also resolves to ensure no more young lives are lost to preventable disasters.