'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Unaccounted For Teenagers Desperately Seek Answers After Ski Resort Inferno
The families of teenagers unaccounted for after a deadly inferno at a bar in a Swiss alpine town are enduring an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and appealing for any details about their family members via social media.
The inferno engulfed the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of January 1st. Circulated footage show the ceiling igniting as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take an extended period to identify the victims of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 40 people and wounded another 119. Officials noted on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been identified, with work ongoing to locate the remaining few.
In the interim, families and friends have been taking to the internet to plead for clues about their missing relatives who were at the bar that night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are not yet determined, according to an heartfelt request from his mother.
The who lives of a town near the city, told a local newspaper 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 could not find him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she told the paper.
She added that some of his peers had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's government has confirmed that a number of of its nationals have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The national sporting body has said that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who carried with him passion and authentic values."
His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.
Other Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise among the missing. His mother explained that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with friends and ended up at the venue.
"A close friend said they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he lost sight of him," she said, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.
One of his educators said, "He was known for his kindness and smile, combined with great maturity. Every time ask if get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek nationality but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to media.
Her sibling has published an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are closely watching the case.