“If there’s a next life, let me hold you as my child once more…” 💔
Switzerland is overwhelmed with grief as the country says goodbye to Arthur Brodard, the 16-year-old football talent taken by the devastating New Year’s Eve fire.

As his mother’s anguished voice fills the town, disturbing revelations about safety lapses begin to surface — turning mourning into unanswered questions.

👇 The full, devastating account is in the comments 👇

The tragic loss of 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, a promising young footballer from Lutry, Switzerland, has left an entire nation in mourning following the devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve 2025, which spilled into the early hours of January 1, 2026.

Here are some poignant images capturing Arthur’s memory, the community’s grief, and the scene of the tragedy:

sportstar.thehindu.com

independent.co.uk

Arthur Brodard was one of seven members of the Lutry Football Club who perished in the blaze, with five more teammates fighting for their lives in hospitals. The club, based in the serene lakeside village near Lausanne, described him as “loved by all for his kindness, his dedication and commitment,” noting that he would remain part of their family forever.

The fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. in the crowded bar, where hundreds of mostly young revelers—many teenagers—had gathered to welcome 2026. Investigators believe the inferno was sparked by sparkling candles (sparklers) placed atop Champagne bottles that came too close to the ceiling’s flammable materials, igniting a rapid and catastrophic blaze. Thick smoke and flames trapped partygoers inside, leading to chaos as people smashed windows or tried to escape through narrow exits. The disaster claimed 40 lives in total, with ages ranging from 14 to 39, and over half under 18. Another 116 people were injured, many with severe burns requiring treatment in intensive care units across Switzerland, France, Italy, and even Germany.

The heart-wrenching search and farewell

In the immediate aftermath, families endured an agonizing wait. Arthur’s mother, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, became a symbol of the collective despair when she appeared tearfully before media cameras outside the bar, holding up her phone to show the last photo of her son—smiling just hours before the tragedy—while pleading for any information: “If you’ve seen him, whether alive or deceased, please contact me.”

For nearly three days, hope flickered amid the horror. Identification was complicated by the extent of the burns, leaving several victims unidentified at first. On January 3, the heartbreaking confirmation came: Arthur had not survived. His mother shared the news on social media with profound grace: “Our Arthur has now gone to party in paradise. We can begin our mourning knowing he is at peace and in the light.”

The phrase that has since resonated across Switzerland and beyond—”If there is another life, please be my child again”—captures the raw depth of a mother’s grief, echoing through tributes, social media posts, and memorials.

Here are moving scenes from the community’s response and memorials:

seattletimes.com

cebudailynews.inquirer.net

A community’s unimaginable loss

Lutry, a picturesque town of about 10,500 residents on Lake Geneva’s shores, was shattered. The football club lost a staggering portion of its youth team in one night—described by locals as a “decimated” or “lost generation.” Arthur was not just a player; he also coached younger children, embodying the club’s spirit of mentorship and joy.

Funerals began in the days that followed, with Arthur’s held on January 8 at the Temple de Lutry. Teammates, wearing the club’s colors, carried his coffin amid silent crowds. His mother clutched a white teddy bear and a red rose—symbols of the team’s palette—as she spoke through tears. Church bells rang across the region, streets fell quiet, and tributes poured in from across Switzerland, with flags lowered and a national day of mourning observed.

The tragedy has sparked urgent questions about safety regulations in nightlife venues, especially during high-occupancy events. Authorities have launched a full investigation into fire codes, emergency exits, and the use of decorative flames in confined spaces. While the sparkler theory points to a tragic oversight rather than malice, many are calling for stricter enforcement to prevent future horrors.

A lasting legacy

Arthur Brodard, who would have turned 17 in February 2026, represented the bright promise of youth—talented on the pitch, kind off it, and full of dreams. His story, intertwined with those of the other victims, reminds the world of life’s fragility and the enduring power of love and community in the face of unimaginable pain.

In Lutry and beyond, people continue to light candles, share memories, and support the injured. Arthur’s mother, in her strength amid sorrow, has urged aid for survivors and families. As Switzerland heals, the plea lingers: “If there is another life, please be my child again…”—a mother’s eternal wish, etched into a nation’s heart.