'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Missing Young People Await Answers After Alpine Inferno
The loved ones of teenagers missing after a tragic blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an painful period of uncertainty for confirmed information and requesting clues about their children publicly.
The blaze engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of January 1st. Circulated images show the ceiling catching alight as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Authorities have warned that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the fatalities of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of four dozen individuals and wounded another 119. Officials stated on Friday that 113 of the injured have been identified, with work ongoing to locate the final individuals.
In the meantime, families and friends have been posting on online platforms to request clues about their loved ones who were present at the venue that night.
Appeals for the Missing
The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an appeal from his parent.
The resident of Lutry near the city, informed a publication that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. Words cannot describe it," she stated.
She continued that some of his friends had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they endured a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has said that six of its citizens have not been located.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, originally from Italy but now living in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is deceased, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "talented young man who carried with him passion and authentic values."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An official spokesperson has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise among the missing. His parent told reporters that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and found himself at the bar.
"A companion informed me they ran away after the fire started 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 gold chain.
One of his educators commented, "I've always been struck by his kindness and smile, alongside great responsibility. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her brother has published an urgent request on social media, saying the family 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 continuing to monitor the developments.