Laetitia Brodard-Sitre has been staying close to the location of a tragic fire that swept through a bar at a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Day, hoping for updates on her son Arthur Brodard. She last communicated with him just before flames engulfed Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, resulting in fatalities and numerous injuries.
Brodard-Sitre, along with other families and friends of those present at the bar during the incident, is currently facing an excruciating wait for news regarding whether their loved ones were among the casualties or are injured but not yet identified. Her last interaction with her son was a message he sent right after midnight wishing her a Happy New Year.
She mentioned that he subsequently shared a vanishing video in a group chat, showcasing him enjoying with friends moments before emergency calls were made to the fire department around 1:30 a.m. Videos from witnesses inside the bar depicted flames spreading on the ceiling, while footage from outside showed individuals struggling to escape through a narrow exit and windows as the fire consumed the establishment.
Arthur, who will soon turn 17, is among the individuals still unaccounted for. Brodard-Sitre, like other concerned relatives, provided her DNA to aid in identifying her son’s status – whether his body is in the morgue or he is hospitalized. She emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the identification process.
She clings to a photo of her son taken alongside his Yorkshire Terrier, captured two hours prior to his visit to Le Constellation, as she appeals for information on his whereabouts. In an emotional plea, she urged anyone with information on his condition – alive or deceased – to contact her, expressing her desperate need to locate her child.
She intends to remain in the vicinity until she receives updates, although the process could extend over several days before definitive information is disclosed.
Families, survivors, and mourners are eagerly awaiting further details on the tragic incident. Witnesses shared harrowing experiences from inside the bar, with some managing miraculous escapes while others faced a nightmarish scenario. Concerned citizens, like Gianni Campolo and Marc-Antoine Chavanon, rushed to assist in rescue efforts, recounting the chaos and devastation they encountered.
The aftermath of the fire has led to multiple individuals being transferred to burn units in hospitals across Europe for specialized care. Authorities have removed the deceased from the bar, but the forensic identification process may linger due to the destruction of identifying features and documents caused by the fire.
Brodard-Sitre, alongside other affected families, is left grappling with the incomprehensible reality of the tragedy. She described the anguish of knowing that her child may have perished in a fire on New Year’s Eve, reflecting on the devastating turn of events.