'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Teenagers Desperately Seek Information After Alpine Inferno
The loved ones of teens lost after a tragic inferno at a establishment in a Switzerland's ski resort are enduring an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for clues about their family members online.
The inferno engulfed the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of New Year's Day. Verified video reveal the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Authorities have warned that it could take considerable time to formally name the victims of the fire, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and injured another 119. Officials said on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been identified, with the process ongoing to identify the other six.
In the interim, families and friends have been using social media to appeal for any news about their missing relatives who were at the bar that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Missing
The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his mother.
The resident of Lutry near the city, informed a publication that she had returned to the city to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but did not locate him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a nightmare. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she told the paper.
She continued that some of his peers had been located with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's foreign ministry has said that a number of of its nationals have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, who hailed from Italy but now living in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who represented passion and authentic values."
His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.
Other Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His parent said that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the venue.
"A companion informed me they escaped 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 said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers stated, "I remember his kindness and smile, coupled with great responsibility. He would frequently ask if get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives permanently in the country, was also present on that night, according to sources.
Her brother has posted an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Officials from her country of origin say they are closely watching the situation.