'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Relatives of Missing Young People Desperately Seek News After Alpine Inferno
The loved ones of teens unaccounted for after a devastating inferno at a venue in a Swiss ski resort are facing an excruciating period of uncertainty for confirmed information and requesting information about their family members via social media.
The inferno ripped through the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Confirmed video show the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with fireworks are held aloft.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take an extended period to identify the fatalities of the fire, which claimed the lives of 40 people and injured another scores more. Officials noted on Friday that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with the process still underway to locate the remaining few.
In the interim, relatives have been taking to social media to plead for clues about their missing relatives who were in attendance that night.
Appeals for the Missing
The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.
The who lives of Lutry near the city, explained to a publication that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but could not find him.
"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in a serious state. It's terrible," she stated.
She added that some of his companions had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's foreign ministry has indicated that a number of of its nationals have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, originally from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The national sporting body has stated that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values."
His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother said that he had been on holiday but had gone out with a group and ended up at the venue.
"A close friend informed me they fled 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 said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers stated, "He was known for his kindness and positive demeanor, combined with great maturity. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also present on that night, according to reports.
Her sibling has posted an appeal on social media, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are closely watching the case.