FOOTBALLER Tahirys Dos Santos and his girlfriend made a powerful public return months after surviving the devastating Swiss bar fire.
The Metz defender, 19, risked his life to save partner Coline from the blaze, running back into the burning building to find her.
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Tahirys Dos Santos and his girlfriend Coline make their first public appearance since the tragedy Credit: Getty
The couple in matching black stepped out at the UNFP Awards in Paris Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
In their first major public appearance since the tragedy, the couple stepped out at the UNFP Awards in Paris.
The stunning pair wowed in matching black, their scars a visible reminder of the horror ordeal they suffered just months ago.
They presented France’s female Player of the year award to Melchie Dumoray at the event.
Now recovering together, their brave appearance drew an emotional reaction from the audience.
FOOTIE SHOCK
Ligue 1 footballer, 19, ‘severely injured’ in deadly Swiss fire that killed 47
FIRE HORROR
Memorial for 41 victims killed in Swiss bar fire goes up in flames
Dos Santos ran back into the Swiss bar fire to save Coline in a heroic act Credit: AFP
The blaze at the tourist bar in Crans-Montana killed 47 people and injured 115 more Credit: AFP
Dos Santos sustained burns to 30 per cent of his body in the inferno that engulfed a tourist bar in Crans-Montana, Valais.
He was airlifted to hospital from the scene of the catastrophic blaze that killed 47 and injured at least 115.
At the time, Ligue 1 club Metz confirmed their youth player Dos Santos was caught up in the horrifying fire.
The shocking incident occurred at 1:30am on January 1 as around 200 revellers celebrated New Year’s Eve at Le Constellation bar.
Party goers were left screaming and running for their lives as the awful blaze swept through the venue.
Valais hospital received 60 of the injured, some of whom had received third-degree burns.
While others, including Dos Santos, were taken to hospitals across Switzerland, France, Germany and Belgium.
In an interview from his hospital bed Dos Santos told how he rescued his girlfriend – in a selfless move that saw him branded a hero.
Dos Santos signed his first contract with the Metz last month Credit: Alamy
The full-back joined the academy aged eight Credit: Alamy
He told Paris Match: “We went downstairs because Coline had to go to the toilet. So I went with her and took the opportunity to go to the toilet too.”
He had finished before her and was about to go to the second floor when he saw the fire.
“It all happened very quickly, I didn’t really think about it. I went straight to Coline, called her, she was in the toilet and we ran up the stairs”, he said.
He found himself sitting on the floor in front of the bar with severe burns, frozen in shock.
Dos Santos was not reunited with his girlfriend, who was temporarily in a coma, until the end of January.
The youngster had been a regular for Metz’s second team, playing in France’s fifth tier.
Returning to action for Metz reserves on April 11, Dos Santos also signed his first professional contract with the team that month.
The full-back, who joined the academy aged eight, has agreed to a one-year deal.
“This moment has an even more special meaning after the difficult months I went through in hospital,” he told the club website.
“This ordeal made me stronger and taught me to never give up.”
