'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Families of Unaccounted For Teenagers Desperately Seek Answers After Ski Resort Blaze
The loved ones of teens missing after a devastating blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's ski resort are confronting an agonising wait for confirmed information and appealing for any details about their loved ones publicly.
The blaze ripped through the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of January 1st. Confirmed images depict the roof structure being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Authorities have stated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the those who perished of the disaster, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and injured another over a hundred. A spokesperson stated on the latest update that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with efforts still underway to identify the remaining few.
In the interim, relatives have been taking to the internet to appeal for any news about their missing relatives who were in attendance that evening.
Appeals for the Missing
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are not yet determined, according to an heartfelt request from his mother.
The who lives of Lutry near Lausanne, told a publication that she had returned to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. Words cannot describe it," she said.
She explained that some of his peers had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its citizens have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, originally from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has stated that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the tragedy, paying tribute to a "young athlete who carried with him passion and true sportsmanship."
His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His parent explained that he had been on holiday but had gone out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"Someone with him said they ran away after the fire started and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he they were separated," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers stated, "I've always been struck by his kindness and smile, alongside great responsibility. Every time offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek nationality but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to reports.
Her brother has shared an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her other nation say they are closely watching the case.