'Living a Nightmare': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Young People Desperately Seek News After Ski Resort Blaze
The families of young people unaccounted for after a devastating fire at a establishment in a Switzerland's alpine town are facing an painful wait for answers and pleading for clues about their children via social media.
The fire devastated the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Circulated video show the ceiling being engulfed in flames as beverages with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take considerable time to identify the fatalities of the fire, which resulted in the death of 40 people and wounded another over a hundred. Officials noted on the latest update that the majority of the those hurt have been identified, with efforts continuing to name the final individuals.
In the waiting period, families and friends have been taking to social media to appeal for clues about their loved ones who were at the bar that evening.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Missing
The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are not yet determined, according to an public plea from his family.
The resident of Lutry near the city, explained to a publication that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but did not locate him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. 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 unspeakable; they went through a terrifying ordeal."
The Italy's foreign ministry has said that a number of of its citizens have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old promising athlete, originally from Italy but now living in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has stated that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who represented passion and true sportsmanship."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has clarified that a official announcement of his death is awaited.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also unaccounted for. His mother said that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"A close friend told me they escaped after the fire broke out 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 distinctive gold chain.
One of his educators said, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, combined with great maturity. Often offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to media.
Her sibling has posted an appeal online, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the situation.