A 15-year-old girl who attended a British school has been named among the 40 people killed in a devastating fire at a Swiss ski resort on New Year's Day. The tragedy at the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana also left 119 people injured.
British Teenager Among Final Victims Identified
Charlotte Niddam, a pupil at Immanuel College in Hertfordshire, was one of the final 16 victims identified by Swiss police. The teenager, who held Israeli, British, and French citizenship, had been working as a babysitter in the area. She was initially reported missing after the blaze erupted in the early hours of January 1st.
Her family confirmed her death in a social media post, stating: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister Charlotte." They added that her funeral is expected to be held in Paris later this week.
Following the fire, her school released a statement saying it was "praying for a miracle."
National Mourning and Investigation Findings
Swiss authorities confirmed on Sunday that all 40 victims of the fire have now been identified. The Valais regional police stated the dead included:
- 21 Swiss citizens
- 7 French citizens
- 6 Italian citizens
- Victims from Romania, Turkey, Portugal, Belgium, and one Swiss-French dual national
The final list of 16 identified victims included several teenagers, such as two 15-year-old Swiss twins and a 16-year-old Swiss boy, Arthur Brodard, whose mother confirmed his death.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced a national day of mourning for Friday, with church bells to ring across the country and a minute's silence observed.
The region's chief prosecutor indicated the fire likely started when 'fountain candle' sparklers were held too close to the ceiling. Authorities are investigating whether soundproofing material in the venue met safety regulations and will review other safety measures, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.
Bar Manager's Criminal Past Revealed
Reports in French media have revealed that one of the managers of Le Constellation, Jacques Moretti, has a prior criminal conviction. According to sources including Europe 1 and Le Parisien, Moretti was convicted and imprisoned in Savoie, France, around twenty years ago for offences including fraud, kidnapping, and pimping.
Moretti, who is in his sixties and owns three businesses in Crans-Montana, is under criminal investigation for manslaughter alongside his wife, Jessica. There has been no initial comment from his lawyers regarding these revelations.
