'Living a Nightmare': Families of Missing Teens Await Information After Alpine Inferno
The families of young people unaccounted for after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's ski resort are facing an painful period of uncertainty for official news and appealing for clues about their loved ones online.
The inferno ripped through the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Circulated video depict the ceiling catching alight as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.
Officials have indicated that it could take an extended period to identify the fatalities of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and hurt another scores more. Authorities stated on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with the process still underway to identify the final individuals.
In the interim, families and friends have been posting on online platforms to plead for any news about their loved ones who were in attendance that night.
Appeals for the Missing
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an public plea from his parent.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, informed a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the equivalent search in the capital, but could not find him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in a serious state. 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 unspeakable; they went through hell."
The Italian government has indicated that six of its citizens have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who carried with him dedication and true sportsmanship."
His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Other Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His parent explained that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"Someone with him told me they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he couldn't see him anymore," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers stated, "I remember his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. Every time ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also present on that night, according to sources.
Her brother has posted an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her country of origin say they are closely watching the case.