'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Missing Teens Desperately Seek News After Ski Resort Fire
The loved ones of teenagers unaccounted for after a tragic blaze at a bar in a Swiss ski resort are facing an excruciating wait for confirmed information and pleading for any details about their family members online.
The inferno engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of January 1st. Confirmed images depict the roof structure igniting as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have stated that it could take considerable time to identify the those who perished of the disaster, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and hurt another scores more. Authorities noted on the latest update that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work still underway to identify the remaining few.
In the waiting period, relatives have been using online platforms to request information about their loved ones who were present at the venue that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Missing
The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his mother.
The resident of Lutry near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in the capital, but did not locate him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in critical condition. Words cannot describe it," she stated.
She added that some of his companions had been discovered with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced hell."
The Italy's government has said that six of its citizens are still unaccounted for.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Italy but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has said that he is deceased, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "young athlete who embodied dedication and authentic values."
His parent, 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.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His parent explained that he had been on vacation but had gone out with friends and ended up at the venue.
"A close friend said they fled after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she explained, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.
One of his educators stated, "I've always been struck by his kindness and positive demeanor, combined with great maturity. Every time offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.
Her brother has posted an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the case.