'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Relatives of Missing Teens Await News After Ski Resort Blaze
The families of young people unaccounted for after a tragic blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's alpine town are confronting an painful period of uncertainty for confirmed information and requesting clues about their children via social media.
The fire engulfed 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 reveal the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.
Officials have indicated that it could take an extended period to formally name the fatalities of the fire, which killed 40 people and wounded another 119. Authorities stated on Friday that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with work continuing to locate the final individuals.
In the interim, relatives have been posting on social media to appeal for clues about their friends who were present at the venue that fateful night.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, informed a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"This is a living nightmare, a horror. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she said.
She added that some of his peers had been discovered with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italian foreign ministry has said that a number of of its citizens remain missing.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage sportsman, originally from Italy but now residing in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who represented passion and authentic values."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise among the missing. His mother told reporters that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and found himself at the venue.
"Someone with him told me 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 said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.
One of his teachers said, "I've always been struck by his kindness and smile, alongside great responsibility. Often 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 brother has published an urgent request online, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are closely watching the case.