'Living a Nightmare': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teens Desperately Seek Information After Alpine Fire
The loved ones of teens missing after a tragic blaze at a bar in a Switzerland's alpine town are confronting an agonising wait for official news and appealing for clues about their children via social media.
The fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Verified images reveal the ceiling catching alight as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Authorities have stated that it could take an extended period to identify the victims of the fire, which claimed the lives of numerous partygoers and wounded another over a hundred. A spokesperson said on Friday that 113 of the injured have been identified, with efforts ongoing to locate the other six.
In the interim, families and friends have been taking to online platforms to appeal for any news about their missing relatives who were present at the venue that fateful night.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his parent.
The resident of Lutry near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"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 continued that some of his friends had been discovered with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has said that a number of of its citizens have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, who hailed from Italy but now residing in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has stated that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "talented young man who carried with him passion and true sportsmanship."
His father, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also unaccounted for. His mother told reporters that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with friends and found himself at the venue.
"A companion said they fled after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he couldn't see him anymore," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.
One of his teachers said, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, combined with great responsibility. He would frequently ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives full-time in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to reports.
Her brother has posted an urgent request online, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are closely watching the developments.