'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Teens Desperately Seek News After Ski Resort Blaze
The families of teenagers unaccounted for after a devastating blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's winter destination are confronting an agonising wait for answers and pleading for clues about their loved ones via social media.
The fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Verified footage show the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Officials have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the those who perished of the fire, which killed numerous partygoers and injured another 119. A spokesperson stated on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with efforts still underway to identify the remaining few.
In the waiting period, loved ones have been using the internet to plead for clues about their loved ones who were present at the venue that fateful night.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.
The resident of Lutry near the city, explained to a publication that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but could not find him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in a serious state. It's terrible," she said.
She continued that some of his peers had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian government has said that six of its nationals remain missing.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now living in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has stated that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, honoring a "talented young man who represented passion and true sportsmanship."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An representative has stated that a official announcement of his death is still pending.
Further Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His mother said that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the venue.
"A close friend told me they fled after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he couldn't see him anymore," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his educators commented, "I remember his good nature and smile, coupled with great maturity. Every time offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her sibling has shared an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the situation.