As of Friday evening, several families are enduring an agonizing wait for news about their missing loved ones following a devastating fire at Le Constellation, a popular nightclub in Crans-Montana. Among those unaccounted for are four teenagers: 16-year-olds Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo, 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, a British-educated student, and Arthur Brodard, also 16, whose mother has made an emotional plea for information.
The large incident, which took place early Friday morning, injured over 200 people. Local law enforcement immediately developed an intense focus. The Valais police chief, Frédéric Gisler, confirmed 119 people were injured in the fire. He further noted that 113 out of those people have been officially recognized. The purpose of the investigation is to determine what caused the fire. It will try to answer the potential function of the acoustic foam found on the venue’s ceiling.
The sole victim confirmed so far is a 22-year-old French woman, Emilie Pralong, according to authorities. She is reported to have been at the same nightclub with some of her friends on Saturday. In stark contrast, Marco, 20, and Gabriele, 18, were looking forward to going with their friends to Le Constellation. They decided against going that night, likely preventing themselves from meeting a worse fate.
Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, the mother of missing Madevillian teenager Arthur Brodard, is still looking for assistance. She’s been using social media and sounding the alarm through local press such as Le Temps, to call for all leads. Her impassioned plea for support underscores the pain we’re seeing from families across the country waiting to hear what’s next.
“We are reaching out with an urgent request for our school community to come together in support of Charlotte Niddam,” said a spokesperson from Immanuel College, where Niddam is enrolled. As more and more folks feel alarm for the safety of these youth, communities are organizing in support of their families.
Marketplace Jacques, who was born in Crans and still lives there, told public radio of his sadness at the events. “It’s the grief, as if we have all lost a loved one,” he said, reflecting on the impact this tragedy has had on the community. Dalia Gubbay, a school council member in Milan representing Jewish schools, had similar fond memories of Crans-Montana. “I’ve had a holiday home here for more than 30 years and used to go there to play with the pinball machine,” she remarked.
The investigation into the fire is ongoing. Beatrice Pilloud, attorney general for Valais canton, stated that authorities are examining whether the acoustic foam complied with safety regulations and if it contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze. Based on that a fire erupted almost immediately,” she reflected.
Authorities are following all credible leads regarding the missing people. Along with reviewing the video footage from the nightclub, investigators continue to interview witnesses to assemble what happened on that tragic night. “There are videos that have been analysed, there are several people who have been interviewed and reports have been made,” Pilloud added.
Among the victims named so far is Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old international golfer who lived in Dubai. His uncle, Sebastiano Galeppini, said the family is devastated. Until then, they nervously wait for DNA test results to confirm their worst nightmares.
Rescue efforts are still underway, and families desperately wait to hear from lost loved ones. This unfathomable tragedy has rippled through the community of Crans-Montana and further afield. As time marches on, those who have been impacted try to lean on each other and make sense of loss and unpredictability.