'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teens Await Answers After Alpine Inferno
The families of young people missing after a devastating fire at a venue in a Swiss ski resort are enduring an excruciating wait for answers and appealing for information about their loved ones online.
The fire ripped through the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Circulated images reveal the ceiling being engulfed in flames as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.
Emergency services have warned that it could take considerable time to identify the fatalities of the tragedy, which killed four dozen individuals and hurt another 119. Authorities stated on Friday that the majority of the injured have been identified, with efforts ongoing to locate the other six.
In the waiting period, loved ones have been using online platforms to plead for any news about their loved ones who were at the bar that fateful night.
Appeals for the Missing
The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an public plea from his family.
The who lives of Lutry near the city, explained to a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his father did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"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 horrific," she told the paper.
She continued that some of his companions had been discovered with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has said that six of its young people remain missing.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, originally from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who carried with him passion and true sportsmanship."
His father, 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 official announcement of his death is still pending.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise unaccounted for. His parent explained that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"A companion informed me they escaped 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 recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.
One of his teachers stated, "I've always been struck by his good nature and smile, combined with great responsibility. Every time offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.
Her sibling has posted an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her country of origin say they are closely watching the developments.