Former British schoolgirl confirmed lifeless after Swiss ski resort hearth | EUROtoday

A youngster who was a former pupil at a British faculty has been confirmed lifeless, after a hearth at a Swiss ski resort killed 40 folks and injured 119 others.

Charlotte Niddam, who beforehand attended Immanuel College – a personal Jewish faculty in Hertfordshire – was among the many final 16 victims to have been recognized by police after the New Year blaze on the Crans-Montana resort.

Charlotte, believed to be 15, was initially reported as lacking, after a hearth broke out contained in the Constellation bar within the early hours of Thursday, whereas revellers had been celebrating the beginning of 2026.

Charlotte’s household stated in a social media submit on Sunday: “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.”

The submit stated Charlotte’s funeral is anticipated to happen in Paris later this week.

Immanuel College in Hertfordshire stated in an announcement it was “praying for a miracle” after the hearth.

According to the Crans-Montana resort web site, Charlotte had been working as a babysitter within the space.

The Valais area police pressure printed an announcement on Sunday confirming that each one 40 folks killed within the hearth have now been recognized.

The final 16 victims included two Swiss ladies aged 15, a Swiss lady aged 22, a Swiss and French lady aged 24, two Italian ladies aged 16 and 15, an Italian boy aged 16, a 22-year-old Portuguese lady, a 17-year-old Belgian woman, two French ladies aged 33 and 26, two French males aged 23 and 20, two French teenage boys aged 17 and 14, and a 15-year-old woman with French, British, and Israeli nationalities, police stated.

Swiss authorities have opened a prison investigation of the bar managers.

The two are suspected of involuntary murder, involuntary bodily hurt and involuntarily inflicting a hearth, the Valais area’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, informed reporters Saturday. The announcement of the investigation didn’t identify the managers.

Investigators stated Friday they consider glowing candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the hearth after they got here too near the ceiling of the crowded bar.

Authorities deliberate to look into whether or not sound-dampening materials on the ceiling conformed with laws and whether or not the candles had been permitted to be used within the bar. Officials stated additionally they would take a look at different security measures on the premises, together with hearth extinguishers and escape routes.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin introduced a nationwide day of mourning for the victims on January 9.