'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Missing Teens Desperately Seek Information After Alpine Blaze
The relatives of teens unaccounted for after a tragic fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort are confronting an excruciating period of uncertainty for official news and requesting information about their loved ones via social media.
The fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Circulated video show the ceiling catching alight as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.
Officials have warned that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the victims of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of 40 people and wounded another 119. Officials stated on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with efforts still underway to identify the final individuals.
In the meantime, relatives have been posting on the internet to plead for clues about their friends who were present at the venue that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his family.
The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, explained to a publication that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his father did the equivalent search in Bern, but did not locate him.
"I'm living a nightmare, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. Words cannot describe it," she stated.
She explained that some of his peers had been discovered with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they endured hell."
The Italian government has confirmed that a number of of its nationals have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who represented passion and authentic values."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the bar.
"A close friend said they escaped after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he couldn't see him anymore," she said, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.
One of his educators said, "I've always been struck by his good nature and smile, combined with great responsibility. Often ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her sibling has published an appeal online, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her country of origin say they are closely watching the situation.