The tragic New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on January 1, 2026, continues to reverberate across the nation and beyond, claiming 40 lives — many of them teenagers — and leaving over 116 injured, some with life-altering burns. The blaze, which erupted shortly after midnight amid holiday celebrations, has been described as one of the deadliest incidents in modern Swiss history, shattering communities and prompting urgent questions about venue safety.
Among the victims was Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old from Lutry, a picturesque lakeside town near Lausanne. Arthur, who would have turned 17 in February, was a passionate young soccer player and coach associated with the local Lutry Football Club. He was one of seven club members who perished in the inferno, with five others still hospitalized in critical condition for severe burns. The club mourned him as someone “loved by all for his kindness, his dedication and commitment,” vowing that he would remain part of their family forever.
Here are poignant images from the aftermath and memorials surrounding the tragedy:
reuters.com
Soundproofing foam in Swiss bar fire should have been checked by …
This photo captures the charred remains and investigative focus on the bar’s interior, where soundproofing foam and other materials are under scrutiny for fire safety compliance.
Arthur’s story began with desperate hope. In the chaotic hours following the fire, his mother, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, frantically searched for him. She shared his last message — a simple, loving “Maman, bonne année, je t’aime” (Mom, happy new year, I love you) sent minutes after midnight — and pleaded publicly for any information about his whereabouts, whether in hospitals or elsewhere. For nearly three days, families endured agonizing uncertainty as forensic teams worked to identify victims through DNA, dental records, and other means, complicated by the severity of the burns.
On January 3-4, the heartbreaking confirmation came. Laetitia announced on social media: “Our Arthur has departed to party in heaven. Now we can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light.” Her words captured the raw mix of grief and reluctant acceptance felt by many families.
The funeral on January 8 in Lutry became a focal point of national sorrow. Under softly falling snow, hundreds gathered at the Temple de Lutry for a ceremony filled with emotion. Teammates from the football club served as pallbearers, carrying Arthur’s coffin in a final act of brotherhood. Mourners included young players, coaches, and community members, all united in shock at the loss of so many from their tight-knit group.
Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, clutching a white teddy bear and a red rose — symbols tied to the club’s colors — delivered a moving tribute. In an unforgettable moment of raw anguish, she cried out “Arthur… my son…”, her voice breaking and echoing through the church. The cry left the entire congregation in tears, a visceral expression of a mother’s unimaginable pain.
Here are several powerful images from Arthur’s funeral and related memorials:
wtvbam.com
Teen soccer player who died in Swiss bar fire laid to rest | WTVB …
This photograph shows the solemn procession as Arthur’s coffin is carried into the temple, surrounded by grieving family and friends under the winter sky.
arabnews.com
Teen soccer players lay to rest mate killed in Swiss bar fire …
Teammates and young mourners stand in quiet reflection, highlighting the deep impact on Lutry’s youth soccer community.
reuters.com
Teen soccer players lay to rest mate killed in Swiss bar fire …
Family members, including Laetitia, offer emotional support as relatives comfort each other near a memorial banner dedicated to Arthur.
Before the altar, a touching drawing depicted Arthur in his younger brother’s arms — a heartbreaking symbol of eternal separation and brotherly love. The service included tributes from club officials, pastors, and friends, who spoke of Arthur’s gentle nature, his enthusiasm for coaching younger players, and his bright future ahead.
The broader tragedy has left Lutry reeling from what locals describe as a “decimated generation.” With twelve club members present at the bar that night — seven dead and others fighting for survival — the small community feels profoundly changed. A pastor noted that “everyone here knows someone directly touched” by the loss.
The fire’s cause has been preliminarily linked to sparklers on champagne bottles igniting ceiling insulation, leading to a rapid flashover in the crowded basement venue. Investigations continue into why the bar had not undergone a mandatory fire safety inspection since 2019, and prosecutors have opened proceedings against the owners for suspected negligence-related offenses, including homicide by negligence.
Here are additional visuals illustrating the scale of the disaster:
cbc.ca
IN PHOTOS: Aftermath of deadly blaze in Switzerland that killed 40 …
This image shows the somber aftermath outside the bar, where flowers, candles, and messages now form an impromptu memorial.
The incident has sparked nationwide calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in public venues, especially during peak tourism seasons when Crans-Montana’s population swells dramatically. Silent marches in Crans-Montana honored all victims, with hundreds walking in quiet solidarity. Pope Francis and international leaders expressed condolences, underscoring the global resonance of the loss.
For Arthur’s family and the Lutry Football Club, the pain remains fresh. His mother’s cry — “Arthur… my son…” — and her decision to honor what she described as his spirit of joy even in farewell, have become symbols of enduring love amid tragedy. As Switzerland mourns and investigates, Arthur Brodard is remembered not just as a statistic, but as a kind, dedicated young man whose life was stolen too soon.
The community vows to carry his memory forward — through continued support for injured teammates, improved safety advocacy, and the unbreakable bonds of those left behind. In the quiet aftermath, under the same snowy skies that blanketed his funeral, Lutry and the nation grieve a generation forever changed.
