A 15-year-old girl, who previously lived in Bushey, is believed to be missing following a deadly fire at a New Year’s Eve event in Switzerland.
Charlotte Niddam has not been seen since a blaze tore through a crowded bar at the Crans-Montana ski resort shortly after midnight.
The incident, which happened during New Year celebrations, left dozens of people dead and many others injured. Charlotte is understood to have worked locally in Crans-Montana as a babysitter.
Friends have taken to social media to share her photographs and appeal for information about her whereabouts.
One post described her as “missing from Crans-Montana,” while others expressed concern and support for her family.
Before moving abroad, Charlotte attended Immanuel College on Elstree Road in Bushey, according to reports.
A spokesman for Immanuel College said: “We are reaching out with an urgent request for our school community to come together in support of Charlotte Niddam.
“Charlotte was a student at Immanuel College, and her family have now moved back to France.
“The families have asked that we all keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.
“We are all praying for a miracle for Charlotte and the others, and want the families to feel the full strength of the Immanuel College community’s support.”
Swiss authorities say the fire spread rapidly through the venue, which was packed with revellers at the time.
Investigators believe the blaze may have been triggered by sparking flares used during celebrations, which ignited the bar’s ceiling.
Emergency services treated more than 100 people for injuries, many of them serious.
Police in the Valais region confirmed that those hurt included Swiss nationals as well as visitors from France, Italy, and several other European countries. The identities of some victims remain unconfirmed.
In the days since the tragedy, mourners have gathered near the bar to leave flowers and candles, while prayer services have been held at a nearby church.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire as families await further information.
Photo credit: Charlotte Niddam Tiktok
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