Laetitia Brodard-Sitre has been staying close to the scene of a tragic fire that engulfed a bar at a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Day, desperately seeking news about her son Arthur Brodard. Her last contact with him was just before the fire broke out at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, where many young revelers were celebrating the start of the new year.
Like other families of those present at the bar, Brodard-Sitre is anxiously awaiting updates to know if her son is among the victims or injured but not yet identified. She recalls receiving a message from Arthur wishing her a Happy New Year moments before the fire started.
She mentioned that Arthur posted a disappearing video in a group chat showing him enjoying the party with friends shortly before emergency calls were made to the fire department. Cellphone footage from inside the bar captured the terrifying spread of flames, while outside, people struggled to escape through a narrow exit and windows as the fire consumed the establishment.
At 16 years old, Arthur is among the missing individuals awaiting identification. Brodard-Sitre, like other families, has provided DNA samples to assist in the identification process, expressing uncertainty about when and how the victims will be confirmed.
She holds a picture of her son taken just before he went to the bar and appeals for any information regarding his whereabouts, whether alive or deceased. Brodard-Sitre remains near the site, determined to find answers, knowing that it may take days before definitive information is released.
As more details emerge about the tragic incident, families, survivors, and mourners are seeking updates. Eyewitnesses recount the chaos and horror of the fire, with some managing miraculous escapes while others faced unimaginable challenges trying to flee the blaze.
Local residents familiar with Le Constellation note that the bar caters to a younger clientele, with varying legal drinking ages for different beverages in Switzerland. Amid the devastation, acts of heroism were reported, with individuals like Gianni Campolo and Marc-Antoine Chavanon rushing to aid those in need.
The aftermath of the fire has left many with severe burns, prompting the transfer of around 50 patients to burn units in other European hospitals. Despite the removal of all deceased victims from the bar, the process of forensic identification is expected to be prolonged due to the destruction of identifying features and documents by the fire.
Brodard-Sitre and other affected families are grappling with the incomprehensible reality of the tragedy, as they mourn and seek closure following the devastating events on New Year’s Eve.