A devastating fire at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has left families in anguish, desperately awaiting news of their loved ones. This tragic incident has shaken the community to its core, leaving a collective sense of grief and uncertainty.
The resort, a popular destination for both celebrities and wealthy skiers, was hosting a New Year's Eve celebration that attracted a group of 15 young individuals from Milan. Some traveled by car, while others took the train, eager to ring in the new year at a venue that had become a local hotspot.
Among the group, eight managed to escape the inferno that engulfed Le Constellation, a tragic event that claimed the lives of approximately 40 people. Three others were critically injured, their conditions critical. Two of the older members of the group, Marco, 20, and Gabriele, 18, had planned to join their friends at the venue but fate intervened, and they decided against it at the last minute.
As of Friday evening, four individuals from the group remained unaccounted for, including Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo, both just 16 years old. Gabriele, standing amidst a sea of floral tributes and candles at the scene, expressed the devastating nature of the situation, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of destiny.
The first victim to be publicly identified was Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old international golfer from Dubai. His uncle, Sebastiano Galeppini, shared the family's anguish as they awaited DNA confirmation, while the Italian Golf Federation announced his passing on their website.
Another missing individual, Charlotte Niddam, believed to be 15, was a student at Immanuel College in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The school community has come together in support, with a spokesperson urging everyone to keep Charlotte and her family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Swiss prosecutors have attributed the fire to sparklers placed on the tops of champagne bottles, which were moved too close to the venue's ceiling. Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general for Valais canton, confirmed during a press conference that the blaze spread rapidly. The investigation is now examining the acoustic foam on the ceiling to determine if it complied with regulations and contributed to the spread of the fire.
Of the 119 injured individuals, 113 have been formally identified. The injured include citizens from various countries, including Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, and Portugal. Officials have warned that identifying the remaining injured and the deceased could take days due to the severity of their burns.
One striking commonality among the victims is their young age. An Instagram account dedicated to the missing has been flooded with photos of their youthful faces, as friends and relatives desperately seek any information about their whereabouts.
Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old Swiss national, was reported missing by his mother, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, who has appealed for information on social media and to the Swiss newspaper Le Temps. Emilie Pralong, a 22-year-old French woman, is also among the missing, with her grandfather describing an agonizing wait for news.
Hospital workers in Berne have advised those searching for the missing to provide details of any tattoos or jewelry they may have been wearing.
Ludovico, whose family has a holiday home in Crans-Montana, was part of a group of five friends who drove to the resort from Rome. They had spent the previous night at the bar and planned to return after celebrating the new year elsewhere. Ludovico expressed his relief at their narrow escape, having witnessed people running and screaming as flames engulfed the venue.
Many residents of Crans-Montana, including those who knew the victims, are reeling from the disaster. Jacques, a native of Crans, expressed his struggle to come to terms with the tragedy, describing it as a collective grief akin to losing a loved one.
Dalia Gubbay, a school council member in Milan for Jewish community schools, shared her personal connection to the resort, having owned a holiday home there for over 30 years. She recalled her fond memories of Le Constellation, where she used to play on the pinball machine. Gubbay, a mother of six, expressed her relief that her son and his wife, who celebrated the new year in an apartment behind the bar, were safe.
As the investigation continues and the community comes to terms with this devastating loss, the focus remains on supporting the families and friends of the victims, many of whom are still awaiting news of their loved ones.
