'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Families of Unaccounted For Young People Await Answers After Alpine Blaze
The relatives of teenagers unaccounted for after a devastating fire at a venue in a Swiss alpine town are enduring an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and appealing for information about their children via social media.
The inferno engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of January 1st. Confirmed images show the roof structure igniting as beverages with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Authorities have stated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the fatalities of the fire, which claimed the lives of numerous partygoers and injured another over a hundred. A spokesperson stated on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been identified, with the process continuing to name the other six.
In the meantime, families and friends have been taking to the internet to plead for any news about their missing relatives who were at the bar that evening.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an appeal from his mother.
The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, explained to a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a nightmare. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. It's horrific," she told the paper.
She continued that some of his peers had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italian government has confirmed that a number of of its nationals remain missing.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now living in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has stated that he is deceased, without mentioning the tragedy, honoring a "young athlete who represented passion and true sportsmanship."
His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has indicated that a official announcement of his death is not yet.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His parent explained that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and ended up at the venue.
"A close friend told me they fled after the fire broke out and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his educators stated, "He was known for his kindness and smile, coupled with great responsibility. He would frequently ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to sources.
Her sibling has shared an appeal on social media, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are closely watching the case.