'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Families of Missing Teenagers Desperately Seek Answers After Alpine Blaze
The families of teens unaccounted for after a deadly blaze at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an excruciating wait for answers and pleading for information about their children online.
The blaze engulfed the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Confirmed images depict the roof structure igniting as beverages with fireworks are held aloft.
Emergency services have stated that it could take considerable time to identify the fatalities of the fire, which killed 40 people and wounded another 119. Officials said on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been identified, with work ongoing to name the other six.
In the waiting period, relatives have been posting on online platforms to plead for information about their friends who were present at the venue that evening.
Appeals for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an public plea from his parent.
The who lives of Lutry near the city, informed a publication that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his father did the same in the capital, but could not find him.
"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she said.
She added that some of his companions had been located with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they went through an absolute nightmare."
The Italian foreign ministry has indicated that six of its citizens are still unaccounted for.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is deceased, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "young athlete who represented dedication and authentic values."
His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An official spokesperson has stated that a official announcement of his death is not yet.
Other Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also among the missing. His mother explained that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the venue.
"A close friend told me they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she explained, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.
One of his educators said, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, combined with great maturity. Every time offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her brother has posted an appeal online, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the developments.