'Living a Nightmare': Loved Ones of Missing Young People Desperately Seek Information After Ski Resort Blaze
The relatives of teenagers unaccounted for after a devastating blaze at a bar in a Swiss ski resort are confronting an painful wait for official news and requesting any details about their family members online.
The blaze devastated the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Verified footage depict the roof structure catching alight as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take an extended period to identify the fatalities of the fire, 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 efforts ongoing to locate the other six.
In the interim, relatives have been using online platforms to request information about their missing relatives who were at the bar that evening.
Appeals for the Unaccounted For
The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an public plea from his parent.
The who lives of Lutry near the city, informed a publication that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but was unsuccessful.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. It's terrible," she stated.
She continued that some of his peers had been found with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's government has confirmed that six of its citizens have not been located.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The national sporting body has said that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who represented passion and authentic values."
His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has indicated that a official announcement of his death is not yet.
Further Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also among the missing. His mother told reporters that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"Someone with him said they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.
One of his educators commented, "I've always been struck by his kindness and smile, combined with great responsibility. Often offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.
Her brother has posted an urgent request on social media, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the developments.