'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Teens Desperately Seek Answers After Ski Resort Blaze
The families of teenagers missing after a deadly fire at a bar in a Swiss winter destination are confronting an agonising period of uncertainty for official news and pleading for information about their children online.
The blaze ripped through the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of January 1st. Circulated video depict the roof structure catching alight as beverages with fireworks are held aloft.
Authorities have stated that it could take an extended period to identify the victims of the fire, which resulted in the death of 40 people and wounded another 119. Officials noted on Friday that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with efforts continuing to name the other six.
In the meantime, families and friends have been posting on the internet to request information about their loved ones who were at the bar that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The location of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his family.
The who lives of a town near Lausanne, told a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his father did the equivalent search in Bern, but could not find him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she said.
She added that some of his friends had been found with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they endured a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has indicated that six of its young people are still unaccounted for.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is deceased, without mentioning the tragedy, honoring 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 official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Further Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also among the missing. His mother told reporters that he had been on holiday but had gone out with a group and found himself at the bar.
"Someone with him said they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she said, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.
One of his teachers commented, "I remember his good nature and smile, combined with great responsibility. Every time ask if help out."
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 sibling has posted an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the developments.