'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Relatives of Unaccounted For Teens Await News After Alpine Blaze
The families of teens missing after a devastating fire at a bar in a Swiss winter destination are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for official news and appealing for information about their family members online.
The blaze devastated the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Confirmed images reveal the roof structure igniting as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Officials have warned that it could take considerable time to formally name the victims of the disaster, which killed 40 people and injured another over a hundred. A spokesperson noted on the latest update that the majority of the those hurt have been identified, with work ongoing to locate the final individuals.
In the interim, relatives have been posting on social media to request information about their loved ones who were in attendance that fateful night.
Appeals for the Unaccounted For
The location of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an public plea from his family.
The who lives of a town near Lausanne, informed a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"This is a living nightmare, a horror. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. It's terrible," she stated.
She added that some of his friends had been found with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced hell."
The Italy's foreign ministry has said that a number of of its nationals are still unaccounted for.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Italy but now living in the UAE.
The national sporting body has stated that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who carried with him passion and true sportsmanship."
His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Further Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother explained that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.
"Someone with him said they escaped 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 recounted, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his educators said, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, alongside great responsibility. Every time offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her brother has published an appeal on social media, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are closely watching the situation.