'Living a Nightmare': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teenagers Await Answers After Ski Resort Inferno
The loved ones of young people unaccounted for after a deadly inferno at a bar in a Swiss alpine town are facing an painful wait for official news and pleading for clues about their children publicly.
The blaze devastated the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of New Year's Day. Circulated images reveal the roof structure catching alight as bottles with fireworks are held aloft.
Authorities have stated that it could take an extended period to identify the fatalities of the disaster, which killed numerous partygoers and wounded another 119. Officials noted on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been identified, with work continuing to identify the final individuals.
In the meantime, relatives have been using social media to request clues about their loved ones who were in attendance that night.
Appeals for the Missing
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his mother.
The who lives of Lutry near Lausanne, told a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the same in the capital, but could not find him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. It's horrific," she said.
She explained that some of his friends had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they endured an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's foreign ministry has said that a number of of its citizens have not been located.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Italy but now living in Dubai.
The national sporting body has stated that he is dead, without directly referencing the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who embodied dedication and authentic values."
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 still pending.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also unaccounted for. His mother told reporters that he had been on vacation but had gone out with friends and found himself at the bar.
"A close friend told me they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he couldn't see him anymore," she said, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.
One of his educators stated, "I remember his kindness and smile, coupled with great responsibility. Often offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to reports.
Her sibling has published an urgent request online, saying the relatives has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the situation.