'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teenagers Desperately Seek Answers After Alpine Fire
The families of young people missing after a devastating fire at a establishment in a Swiss ski resort are facing an painful wait for official news and appealing for any details about their children online.
The blaze engulfed the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the early hours of January 1st. Confirmed images reveal the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with fireworks are held aloft.
Emergency services have warned that it could take days if not weeks to identify the those who perished of the fire, which claimed the lives of 40 people and wounded another over a hundred. Authorities stated on the latest update that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with the process still underway to name the final individuals.
In the meantime, relatives have been taking to online platforms to request clues about their friends who were in attendance that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are still unconfirmed, according to an appeal from his parent.
The resident of Lutry near the city, informed a publication that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his father did the equivalent search in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. Words cannot describe it," she told the paper.
She continued that some of his companions had been located with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they went through hell."
The Italy's government has confirmed that a number of of its nationals have not been located.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, who hailed from Italy but now living in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who carried with him dedication and true sportsmanship."
His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An representative has clarified that a official announcement of his death is awaited.
Other Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also among the missing. His mother said that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the venue.
"Someone with him informed me they ran away after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers stated, "I've always been struck by his kindness and smile, alongside great responsibility. Every time ask if get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives full-time in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her brother has shared an urgent request on social media, saying the relatives has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the situation.