I would be going back to the airport to the AC lost/damaged luggage desk. There will be new workers most likely so you won't get the same person. AC is responsible for the claim. Although not as dramatic as your story, I went KRK-MUC-YUL-YOW once (with LH and AC), and upon picking up my bag in YUL to go through customs, I noticed that the handle was broken and hanging by a thread. So I detached the handle the rest of the way, stuffed it in a pocket, rechecked the bag and claimed the damage at YOW. Because I live in YVR, I took the bag with me, used it to transport my stuff to YVR, and when I was home I emptied it out, and went back to the airport to leave the bag for repair using my YOW claim. Everything worked out perfectly.