Swiss ski bar fire: Former pupil at Hertfordshire school among those missing

Swiss prosecutors have said a criminal investigation has begun into the owners of a bar that caught fire into the early hours of the new year, killing 40 people and injuring more than 100, as ITV News’ Amy Lewis reports

Warning – some viewers may find these images distressing

A 15-year-old girl educated in the UK is among those missing as police investigate the cause of a fire in a popular bar in Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve that has left dozens dead.

Charlotte Niddam attended Immanuel College, a private Jewish school in Bushey, Hertfordshire, according to a statement from the college.

“We are reaching out with an urgent request for our school community to come together in support of Charlotte Niddam,” the statement said.

“Charlotte was a student at Immanuel college, and her family have now moved back to France. The families have asked that we all keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.

“We are all praying for a miracle for Charlotte and the others, and want the families to feel the full strength of the Immanuel college community’s support.”

Emanuele Galeppini.Credit: Italian Golf Federation

Niddam’s babysitting services are listed on the Crans-Montana website. It is unclear what her nationality is.

Families of those who were at the Le Constellation bar when the fire broke out are still waiting to hear the news of their loved ones.

Officials said at least 40 people have died, and around 119 are injured. Over half of the injured are in a critical condition, many with severe burns. Six of the injured people were yet to be identified on Friday.

Swiss authorities confirmed on Saturday that a criminal investigation had been opened into the managers of the bar.The two managers are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing fire by negligence, police said in a statement.

Earlier on Saturday Swiss police confirmed they had been able to identify four bodies and return them to their families – the only details provided were that it was two Swiss women aged 21 and 16 and two Swiss men aged 16 and 18.

A render shows the layout of Le Constellation bar. The fire started in the basement area.Credit: ITV News

On Friday, the first victim of the New Year’s Eve blaze was named as 17-year-old golf player Emanuele Galeppini.

The Italian Golf Federation confirmed Galeppini had died in the fire and described him as a “young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values”.

Swiss authorities said on Friday that the fire was likely to have been started when fountain sparklers mounted on champagne bottles set the ceiling alight about 1.30am local time on Thursday.

The co-owner of the bar, Jacques Moretti, told French newspaper 24 heures that “everything was done according to the rules.”

He declined a full interview but said his bar had been inspected “three times in ten years”, and that “everything was done according to the standards”.

It is understood that Mr Moretti was not present at the bar the night of the fire, but that his wife and co-owner, Jessica Moretti, was, and had suffered burns on her arm, according to a friend speaking to the French newspaper, Le Figaro.

Footage shared with ITV News shows champagne bottles with sparklers being carried through the bar, and later parts of the ceiling alight.

Investigators will also look at the safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers, escape routes, and compliance with regulations, Valais Canton Attorney General Béatrice Pilloud said during a press conference on Friday.

She also warned of possible prosecutions if there was any criminal liability involving individuals.

“If this is indeed the case and these individuals are still alive, an investigation will be opened against them for negligent arson, negligent homicide, and negligent bodily harm,” Pilloud said.

Swiss officials described the blaze as a likely flashover, meaning that it triggered the release of combustible gases that can then ignite violently.

Authorities said they did not know how many people were inside the bar when the fire started, but said that questions around the capacity of the venue will be part of the investigation.

Valais Cantonal Police Commander Frédéric Gisler said authorities were working hard to identify the deceased victims, but added it could “take several days”.

It comes after witnesses told French broadcaster BFMTV that they were inside when they saw a barman carrying a barmaid on his shoulders. They said the barmaid was holding a lit candle in a bottle that set fire to the wooden ceiling.

Footage of the tragedy appeared to show soundproofing material lining the ceiling catching light while people danced and celebrated.

Another witness who spoke to BFMTV described people smashing windows to escape the blaze, some gravely injured, and panicked parents rushing to the scene in cars to see whether their children were trapped inside.

The witness said they saw about 20 people scrambling to get out of the smoke and flames and likened what he saw to a horror movie as he watched from across the street.

Axel Clavier, 16, told the Associated Press he managed to escape the fire by forcing open a window, but he said two or three” of his friends remained missing.

The UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed sympathy with the victims and their families, writing on social media: “As the Swiss emergency services continue to respond to the devastating tragedy in Crans-Montana, I have expressed our support to my counterpart Ignazio Cassis.

“Our thoughts are with all the victims and their families. The FCDO stand ready to support any British Nationals affected.”