A 15-year-old girl who was educated in the United Kingdom is among those feared missing following a devastating fire at a popular ski resort bar in Switzerland, which killed at least 40 people celebrating the New Year.
Search for British-Educated Teenager Continues
Charlotte Niddam, a former pupil of Immanuel College, a private Jewish school in Bushey, Hertfordshire, has not been heard from since the inferno erupted. The fire broke out in the early hours of January 2, 2026, at the packed Le Constellation lounge in the upscale resort of Crans-Montana.
Emergency services in the Valais region are continuing their search for the teenager and several others who remain unaccounted for. Distraught families are awaiting news from the scene of the tragedy.
According to the resort's website, Charlotte was listed as a babysitter in Crans-Montana, where she was said to be "very often". Friends have taken to social media in a desperate appeal for information. Former school friend Mia posted a heartfelt tribute on TikTok, saying: "My sweet sweet special lottie, I love you more than the meaning of life. I need my best friend."
How the New Year's Eve Horror Unfolded
The fire, which rapidly engulfed the venue, is reported to have started from sparklers placed in champagne bottles. New footage appears to show the moment the ceiling caught alight after coming into contact with the bottles.
One witness told BFM TV: "During the evening, a waiter climbed onto another waiter's shoulders. He was holding a birthday candle, which was very close to the ceiling, and [the ceiling] caught fire in a couple of minutes."
Another survivor described a chaotic and deadly crush to escape, stating: "The staircase leading out of the nightclub was extremely narrow. There was a huge surge in the crowd. We managed to escape just in time." Officials have said that more time is needed to confirm the exact cause of the blaze.
The bar's co-owner, Jessica Moretti, was inside when the fire broke out and suffered burns to her arm. She and her husband Jacques were among the first to visit the resort in 2011 before opening Le Constellation in December 2015. The bar was described online as an elegant space with a festive atmosphere.
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the international community, particularly in the UK where Charlotte is from. Crans-Montana is a largely French-speaking holiday destination popular with skiers and golfers.
As the investigation continues and the death toll is confirmed, the focus remains on the search for the missing and supporting the families of the 40 victims who lost their lives in this horrific start to the new year.
