'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Families of Missing Teenagers Desperately Seek News After Alpine Inferno
The relatives of teenagers unaccounted for after a devastating inferno at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an painful period of uncertainty for official news and appealing for clues about their loved ones online.
The blaze engulfed the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Confirmed images reveal the roof structure being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the those who perished of the fire, which claimed the lives of numerous partygoers and wounded another 119. Authorities noted on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with the process ongoing to identify the remaining few.
In the meantime, relatives have been using the internet to appeal for information about their loved ones who were at the bar that fateful night.
Appeals for the Missing
The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are not yet determined, according to an heartfelt request from his family.
The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, told a local newspaper that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father did the equivalent search in Bern, but could not find him.
"I'm living a nightmare, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. It's terrible," she told the paper.
She added that some of his companions had been discovered with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they went through a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian government has indicated that six of its nationals remain missing.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old promising athlete, originally from Italy but now residing in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has stated that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, honoring a "young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values."
His father, 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 awaited.
Further 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 said they escaped after the fire started 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 gold chain.
One of his teachers said, "He was known for his good nature and smile, combined with great maturity. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also present on that night, according to media.
Her brother has posted an appeal online, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her country of origin say they are closely watching the developments.