Laetitia Brodard-Sitre has been waiting near the location of a tragic fire that engulfed a bar at a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Day, hoping for news about her son, Arthur Brodard. She had last communicated with him just over an hour before a fire broke out at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, resulting in the loss of multiple lives and leaving many others injured.
Brodard-Sitre, along with other concerned relatives and friends of individuals present at the bar during the incident, is currently enduring an anxious period as they await updates on whether their loved ones were among the casualties of the fire or are among the injured whose identities are still unconfirmed. Her last interaction with her son was a message he sent just after midnight, wishing her a Happy New Year.
Subsequently, he posted a video in a group chat showing him celebrating with friends, moments before emergency calls were made to the fire department around 1:30 a.m. Footage from witnesses inside the bar captured the flames spreading rapidly, while external videos depicted people struggling to escape through a narrow exit and windows as the fire consumed the venue.
Arthur, who is approaching his 17th birthday, is one of the unidentified missing individuals. Brodard-Sitre, like other concerned families, provided her DNA to assist in the identification process, expressing uncertainty about when and how the victims will be identified. She is pleading for any information regarding her son’s whereabouts, sharing a photo taken just before he went to Le Constellation with his pet.
Remaining by the scene, Brodard-Sitre is prepared to wait for days until she receives the necessary information. Meanwhile, families, survivors, and mourners are eagerly awaiting updates on the tragic incident. Witnesses shared harrowing experiences from that night, with Axel recounting a chaotic evacuation and a friend who remains missing.
Gianni Campolo, a 19-year-old vacationer, rushed to aid emergency responders after being contacted by a friend who escaped the fire. He described witnessing horrifying injuries among those on the ground. Additionally, Marc-Antoine Chavanon, 14, joined the rescue efforts inside the building, describing the distressing scenes of people’s struggles to escape the blaze.
The fire’s aftermath has seen around 50 severely burned patients transferred to burn units across Europe for specialized care. Forensic teams are facing challenges in identifying the victims due to the destruction of distinguishing features and personal documents in the fire. Brodard-Sitre and other affected families are grappling with the incomprehensible tragedy that unfolded on New Year’s Eve.
