Crans-Montana Fire: A Devastating Turn of Fate for Young Partygoers
The tragic fire at Crans-Montana's Le Constellation has left families and friends of the 15 young partygoers from Milan in a state of anguish and uncertainty. The group, aged between 15 and 20, had traveled to the Swiss ski resort to celebrate New Year's Eve, some by car and others by train. They were familiar with the resort, having spent summers there with their families, and were drawn to the popular bar for its affordable parties and vibrant atmosphere.
Eight members of the group managed to escape the inferno, which claimed the lives of approximately 40 people and left 80 critically injured. Two of the eldest, Marco, 20, and Gabriele, 18, had initially planned to join their friends at the venue but changed their minds at the last minute, a decision that may have saved their lives. The group is now desperately searching for four of their members who remain missing, including Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo, both 16.
Among the victims, Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old international golfer from Dubai, was the first to be publicly identified. His uncle, Sebastiano Galeppini, confirmed the news, while the Italian Golf Federation announced his death on their website. Another Italian teenager, Charlotte Niddam, believed to be 15, is also reported missing. A spokesperson for Immanuel College in Bushey, Hertfordshire, urged the school community to support Charlotte and her family, who have moved back to France. The families are awaiting DNA checks for confirmation.
The fire, according to Swiss prosecutors, was likely caused by sparklers placed in the tops of champagne bottles, which were moved too close to the venue's ceiling. Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general for the Valais canton, stated that videos, interviews, and reports have been analyzed to support this theory. The investigation is focusing on acoustic foam on the ceiling to determine if it complied with regulations and contributed to the fire's spread.
Of the 119 injured individuals, 113 have been formally identified. The injured include 71 Swiss citizens, 14 French citizens, 11 Italians, four Serbs, and one individual each from Bosnia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, and Portugal. The nationalities of 14 injured individuals remain undetermined.
The young age of most victims is a striking commonality. Social media and Instagram accounts have been filled with photos of the missing, as friends and relatives desperately seek information. Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old Swiss national, is one of the missing, and his mother, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, has appealed for information on social media and to Swiss newspapers.
The grandfather of Emilie Pralong, a 22-year-old French woman, shared her presumed presence at Le Constellation with friends. He described the agonizing wait for information as the family grapples with the tragedy. Hospital workers in Berne have requested that anyone with knowledge of the missing individuals provide details about tattoos or jewelry they may have been wearing.
Ludovico, who was part of a group of five friends from Rome, narrowly escaped the fire. They had spent Tuesday night at the bar and planned to continue their celebrations elsewhere. Ludovico recounted the harrowing moment they saw people running away, screaming, with flames behind them. He expressed his relief, stating, 'We are so, so lucky.'
The disaster has left a profound impact on Crans-Montana, a community that knew many of the victims. Residents, like Jacques, who was born in Crans, described a collective grief, as if everyone had lost a loved one. Dalia Gubbay, a mother of six, shared fond memories of Le Constellation, recalling her son's celebration with his wife in an apartment behind the bar. She expressed her shock and relief that her other children, aged 15 and 17, had decided to go to Florence instead of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve.
