'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Families of Missing Teenagers Await News After Alpine Blaze
The families of teenagers missing after a deadly inferno at a bar in a Swiss alpine town are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for confirmed information and requesting clues about their loved ones publicly.
The blaze devastated the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Verified video show the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Authorities have indicated that it could take considerable time to formally name the fatalities of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 40 people and injured another scores more. A spokesperson noted on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been identified, with the process continuing to identify the remaining few.
In the meantime, relatives have been posting on social media to appeal for clues about their friends who were in attendance that evening.
Appeals for the Missing
The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an public plea from his mother.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, explained to 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.
"I'm living a nightmare, a horror. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. It's terrible," she told the paper.
She explained that some of his companions had been discovered with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that six of its nationals have not been located.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, who hailed from Italy but now residing in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the fire, honoring a "young athlete who embodied dedication and true sportsmanship."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has clarified that a official announcement of his death is not yet.
Further Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also unaccounted for. His mother said that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with friends and ended up at the venue.
"Someone with him said 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 explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.
One of his educators said, "I remember his good nature and smile, combined with great maturity. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also present on that night, according to sources.
Her sibling has published an appeal online, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the case.