'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Families of Missing Young People Await Information After Ski Resort Inferno
The families of young people missing after a tragic blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's ski resort are facing an excruciating period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for information about their children publicly.
The fire devastated the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Circulated video reveal the roof structure igniting as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have stated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the disaster, which killed 40 people and wounded another scores more. A spokesperson said on the latest update that 113 of the those hurt have been identified, with efforts continuing to identify the final individuals.
In the waiting period, relatives have been using social media to request any news about their loved ones who were in attendance that evening.
Desperate Searches for the Missing
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his mother.
The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, informed a publication that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father did the same in the capital, but was unsuccessful.
"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. Words cannot describe it," she said.
She explained that some of his friends had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through an absolute nightmare."
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that six of its nationals are still unaccounted for.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who carried with him dedication and authentic values."
His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An representative has stated that a official announcement of his death is still pending.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had gone out with a group and ended up at the venue.
"Someone with him told me they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile 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've always been struck by his kindness and positive demeanor, combined with great maturity. Every time ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives full-time in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her sibling has posted an appeal online, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the case.