'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Missing Teens Desperately Seek Information After Ski Resort Blaze
The relatives of teenagers missing after a devastating fire at a venue in a Switzerland's alpine town are facing an agonising wait for official news and appealing for clues about their family members publicly.
The inferno engulfed the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Circulated images reveal the ceiling igniting as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the fire, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and injured another 119. Officials stated on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with efforts ongoing to name the other six.
In the meantime, relatives have been using social media to plead for clues about their loved ones who were in attendance that evening.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an appeal from his mother.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, told 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 the capital, but was unsuccessful.
"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in critical condition. It's terrible," she stated.
She explained that some of his friends had been discovered with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced hell."
The Italy's foreign ministry has indicated that six of its nationals have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old promising athlete, originally from Italy but now living in the UAE.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is dead, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values."
His father, reportedly stated 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 still pending.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother explained that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with friends and ended up at the bar.
"A companion told me they escaped after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he lost sight of him," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers stated, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, coupled with great responsibility. Often ask if get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to reports.
Her brother has shared an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Officials from her country of origin say they are actively engaged with the developments.