A group of 15 young individuals traveled from Milan to the picturesque Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Some members of this group crossed the border by car, while others opted for a train journey. Their choice of destination was no coincidence; Crans-Montana is a familiar place for them, having spent numerous summers there with their families. The highlight of their trip was to welcome the new year at Le Constellation, a venue that had gained popularity as the go-to bar for young party-goers in recent years.
Sadly, the celebration turned into a nightmare when a devastating fire broke out at the venue, claiming the lives of approximately 40 people. Miraculously, eight members of the group managed to escape the inferno, while three others sustained critical injuries. Among the group, Marco, 20, and Gabriele, 18, had planned to join their friends at Le Constellation shortly after midnight. However, in a twist of fate, they decided against it at the last moment. As of Friday evening, the search continued for four individuals from their group, including 16-year-olds Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo.
“Sometimes that is how destiny plays out,” Gabriele expressed, standing beside a floral and candle tribute at the tragic scene. “It is devastating.” In a heartbreaking turn of events, Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old international golfer living in Dubai, was identified as one of the victims. His uncle, Sebastiano Galeppini, shared with the Italian news agency Ansa that they were awaiting DNA confirmation, while the Italian Golf Federation reported his death on their website.
Another young individual reported missing is Charlotte Niddam, a British-educated teenager believed to be just 15 years old. A spokesperson from Immanuel College in Bushey, Hertfordshire, emphasized the urgent need for support from the school community for Charlotte’s family, who have since relocated back to France. “We are all praying for a miracle for Charlotte and the others,” they stated, underscoring the emotional toll this tragedy has taken on families and friends.
The fire at Le Constellation is believed to have been ignited by sparklers placed in champagne bottles that were moved too close to the ceiling, according to Swiss prosecutors. Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general for Valais canton, detailed during a press conference that the investigation would examine whether the acoustic foam on the ceiling complied with safety regulations and contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Of the 119 people injured, 113 have been formally identified, with a diverse range of nationalities among the injured, including 71 Swiss, 14 French, and 11 Italians.
As efforts to identify both the deceased and the injured continue, the community of Crans-Montana is engulfed in a profound sense of grief. Local residents, many of whom knew the victims, conveyed their shock and sorrow. “I’m still trying to digest it,” Jacques, a local resident, said while sitting in a bar. “It’s the grief, as if we have all lost a loved one.”
Dalia Gubbay, a school council member in Milan, shared her long-standing connection to Crans-Montana, highlighting fond memories of visiting the bar. Her family was present in the vicinity during the incident, witnessing the aftermath as people left the venue in distress. “What has happened is unthinkable,” she lamented, expressing relief that her own children had chosen to celebrate elsewhere.
The tragic events of New Year’s Eve in Crans-Montana serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of fate. As the community comes together to support one another, they hold onto hope for the safe return of the missing and continue to mourn the loss of those taken too soon.