'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Young People Desperately Seek News After Alpine Fire
The loved ones of teens lost after a tragic inferno at a venue in a Swiss winter destination are confronting an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and appealing for any details about their loved ones publicly.
The inferno engulfed the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Confirmed footage reveal the ceiling being engulfed in flames as beverages with fireworks are held aloft.
Officials have warned that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the fatalities of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and injured another 119. A spokesperson said on Friday that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with the process ongoing to identify the final individuals.
In the interim, relatives have been taking to social media to plead for information about their friends who were at the bar that fateful night.
Appeals for the Unaccounted For
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are not yet determined, according to an appeal from his mother.
The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, explained to a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the equivalent search in the capital, but was unsuccessful.
"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in critical condition. Words cannot describe it," she said.
She explained that some of his friends had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through hell."
The Italy's foreign ministry has said that six of its young people have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Genoa but now living in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man 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 indicated that a official announcement of his death is awaited.
Other Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His mother told reporters that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"A close friend informed me they fled after the fire erupted 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 distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his educators said, "He was known for his kindness and smile, combined with great maturity. He would frequently ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also present on that night, according to reports.
Her brother has published an appeal on social media, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the situation.