HEARTBREAKING LOSS
Charlotte Niddam’s tragic final post days before deadly Swiss bar inferno shows Brit-educated teen beaming & dancing
The blaze is one of the worst disasters in recent Swiss history and has triggered a nationwide outpouring of grief
A BEAMING British schoolgirl’s final post has emerged after she was killed in a deadly inferno at a Swiss ski resort.
Charlotte Niddam, just 15, was among 40 people killed when a packed tourist bar went up in flames during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Crans-Montana, Valais.
Charlotte Niddam’s tragic final video just days before deadly Swiss bar infernoCredit: TikTok/charlotteniddam
The clip shows the Brit-educated teen beaming as she dances in front of the cameraCredit: TikTok/charlotteniddam
The teen schoolgirl appears to be dressed up and ready to go out in a clip posted just five days before the deadly blazeCredit: TikTok/charlotteniddam
In her heartbreaking last TikTok, Charlotte sways to the music in front of the camera, smiling as she sings along to Amy Winehouse’s Tears Dry On Their Own.
The short video, shared just five days before the fatal blaze, shows the educated-teen Brit dressed up and ready to go out.
At one point, she playfully reaches towards the camera, grinning as she continues mouthing the lyrics.
Heartbroken strangers and friends flooded the comments beneath the post, calling her “beautiful” and leaving tributes after news of her death broke.
Charlotte had been staying at the resort while working as a babysitter, something she did “very often”, according to the resort’s website.
She was one of dozens of teenagers killed when a suspected sparkler ignited the ceiling of the Constellation bar shortly after 1.30am on New Year’s Day.
Some 119 people were injured, many suffering severe burns.
In a moving statement released on social media, Charlotte’s family said: “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.”
Police have now formally identified all 40 victims of the fire.
The dead range in age from 14 to 39, with teenagers making up more than half of the death toll.
Some 26 of the 40 victims were teenagers, including a 14-year-old French national and a 14-year-old from Switzerland.
In total, 21 of those who died were Swiss, seven were French and six were Italian.
Others came from Romania, Turkey, Portugal and Belgium, as well as one Swiss-French dual national.
Grief-stricken mum Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, who spent days desperately searching for her missing son Arthur, 16, confirmed he was among the victims.
She said: “Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise.”
Images of missing teenagers – many later confirmed dead – were shared widely on social media as families begged for information.
Several people are dead and more are injured after a fire broke out at a New Year’s Eve celebrationCredit: x.com
Prosecutors believe the fire began when “fountain candle” sparklers were held too close to the ceilingCredit: Doug Seeburg
Promising Swiss boxer Benjamin Johnson, 18, and bouncer Stefan Ivanović, 31, who helped save several revellers, were also named among the dead.
Italian teen Chiara Costanzo, 16, became another identified victim after her father Andrea told Il Corriere della Sera: “my beloved Chiara is no more”.
Her identification followed that of Italian 17-year-old golf prodigy Emanuele Galeppini.
The keen golfer’s Instagram features a photo of him posing with Rory McIlroy, captioned: “Pic of the year”.
The blaze is one of the worst disasters in recent Swiss history and has triggered a nationwide outpouring of grief.
Switzerland will hold a national day of mourning this week.
More than 2,000 mourners have already walked in silence through the resort in a poignant procession.
Flags flew at half-mast as mourners wiped away tears during an emotional church service held in German, French and Italian.
The crowd then slowly walked towards a makeshift shrine near the destroyed bar to pay their respects.
Prosecutors believe the fire began when “fountain candle” sparklers were held too close to the ceiling.
The region’s chief prosecutor said the sparklers likely ignited acoustic insulation foam fitted during renovation work in 2015.
The bar’s French owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are now under formal criminal investigation for manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence.
Champagne sparklers reportedly held aloft by waitresses caused a flashover fire that engulfed the venue within seconds.
The police probe will also examine the use of fire extinguishers, emergency exits and safety equipment.
One former waitress claimed the emergency exit was always locked.
The Morettis, who bought the bar a decade ago, briefly broke cover over the weekend after announcing: “We can neither sleep nor eat, we are all very unwell.”
Jacques and Jessica Moretti are being investigated on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
Charlotte had been staying at the resort while working as a babysitterCredit: TikTok
In a statement released on social media, Charlotte’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister”Credit: Tik tok
Debunking Viral Misinformation: No Evidence of Smartwatch Footage or Masked Arsonist in Crans-Montana Fire
As false and sensational claims continue to spread online in the wake of the tragic New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, it’s crucial to separate fact from fiction. A recent viral rumor alleges that 15-year-old victim Charlotte Niddam’s smartwatch captured video of smoke engulfing the venue, revealing “careless actions” by a mysterious masked man whom police are supposedly “desperately searching for.” This claim is entirely unfounded, with no supporting evidence from official investigations, media reports, or forensic disclosures as of January 6, 2026.
The fire, which claimed 40 lives—including many teenagers—and injured 119 others, erupted around 1:30 a.m. on January 1 in the basement nightclub. Swiss authorities, including Valais canton prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud, have consistently stated that the blaze was accidentally ignited by celebratory sparklers (fountain candles) attached to champagne bottles. These were held aloft too close to the low ceiling, which was lined with highly flammable acoustic foam—likely polyurethane “egg box” panels—that fueled a rapid flashover, spreading flames and toxic smoke in seconds.
Social media videos and photos verified by outlets like the BBC and CNN show the initial ignition and chaos, with partygoers initially cheering before panic set in. No footage from personal devices, including smartwatches, has been referenced in official updates or credible reporting. Identification of victims relied on DNA, dental records, and personal items due to severe burns—not wearable tech recordings.
Charlotte Niddam, a 15-year-old with British, French, and Israeli citizenship who attended schools in Hertfordshire and London, was tragically among the victims confirmed on January 4. Her family announced her passing with profound sadness, and tributes highlighted her vibrant spirit—she had even advertised babysitting services in Crans-Montana. There is no mention anywhere of her wearing or activating a smartwatch that recorded the incident, let alone footage implicating foul play.
The “masked man” reference appears to stem from a misinterpretation of pre-fire promotional photos. One image, obtained by French media and described on Wikipedia, shows a barman wearing a Guy Fawkes mask (common in themed celebrations) carrying a waitress on his shoulders as she holds sparkler-adorned bottles—a standard New Year’s ritual at the venue. This was part of the festive atmosphere, not suspicious activity. Police have not issued any alerts for a masked suspect; arson and terrorism were ruled out early, with the focus on accidental causes and potential negligence.
A criminal probe targets the bar’s French managers, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, for suspected negligent homicide, bodily harm, and fire by negligence. Issues under scrutiny include the flammable ceiling material (possibly non-compliant), indoor pyrotechnic use, emergency exits, and occupancy limits. Prior inspections reportedly found no violations, but experts criticize the risks of sparklers in enclosed spaces with synthetic foam.
The community in Crans-Montana remains shattered. Makeshift memorials brim with flowers, candles, and messages outside the sealed bar, as residents held silent marches and services. Switzerland observed national mourning, with flags at half-mast. Survivors describe crushing crowds at the narrow staircase, blinding smoke, and heroic escapes. Over half the victims were minors, amplifying calls for stricter venue regulations for young patrons.
Misinformation like this exacerbates grief for families already enduring unimaginable loss. Authorities and media urge reliance on verified sources—the Zurich Forensic Institute and international experts continue analysis for full accountability. This disaster echoes past nightclub fires (e.g., those involving pyrotechnics and foam), underscoring prevention needs.
In the serene yet somber Alps, Crans-Montana honors its lost youth, including Charlotte Niddam, whose story reminds us of lives full of promise cut tragically short by preventable risks—not conspiracy.
