'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teens Await Information After Alpine Inferno
The families of young people missing after a tragic blaze at a bar in a Switzerland's alpine town are facing an excruciating wait for official news and appealing for any details about their family members via social media.
The blaze engulfed the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Confirmed footage depict the roof structure catching alight as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Officials have warned that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the fatalities of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of 40 people and injured another 119. Authorities stated on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been identified, with efforts continuing to locate the final individuals.
In the meantime, relatives have been posting on social media to appeal for clues about their friends who were at the bar that evening.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his family.
The who lives of a town near the city, explained to a publication that she had gone back to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but did not locate him.
"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she told the paper.
She explained that some of his peers had been discovered with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they endured an absolute nightmare."
The Italian government has indicated that six of its young people have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The national sporting body has stated that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "young athlete who represented passion and authentic values."
His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has clarified that a official announcement of his death is awaited.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His mother explained that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the venue.
"Someone with him told me they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he couldn't see him anymore," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.
One of his educators commented, "I remember his good nature and smile, combined with great responsibility. He would frequently ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to media.
Her brother has posted an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Officials from her country of origin say they are closely watching the case.