A fire at a Swiss ski resort has claimed the life of Charlotte Niddam, a 15-year-old who had previously attended Immanuel College in Hertfordshire and the Jewish Free School in north-west London. Her family confirmed the tragic news via social media, expressing 'great sadness' and promising to share funeral arrangements soon.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also acknowledged the loss on X, expressing her condolences to Charlotte's family and friends. The confirmation follows reports from Swiss authorities who had identified all 40 victims of the New Year's Day fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.
In a statement released on Facebook, Charlotte's family wrote, 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister Charlotte. Details regarding the funeral arrangements will follow shortly. It is most likely on Thursday in Paris. Thank you for all your support those last few days.' Charlotte was reportedly working as a babysitter in the area at the time of the incident.
The fire, described by Swiss President Guy Parmelin as 'one of the worst tragedies' in the country, broke out in the bar, which was occupied by locals and tourists. Initial investigations by prosecutors suggest that sparklers on champagne bottles being carried 'too close to the ceiling' may have sparked the blaze. Investigators are scrutinizing the materials used at the site, the bar's fire safety measures, capacity, and the number of people inside at the time of the fire, according to Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud.
On Sunday, Valais cantonal police announced that all victims, aged between 14 and 39, had been identified, with a mix of nationalities including UK, Portuguese, Romanian, Belgian, French, Italian, and Swiss among them. One of the victims, presumed to be Charlotte, held triple citizenship with France, Israel, and the UK. An additional 35 individuals injured in the fire have been moved to specialized burns units outside Switzerland to receive further care.