'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Unaccounted For Teenagers Desperately Seek Information After Alpine Blaze
The families of teenagers unaccounted for after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Swiss winter destination are confronting an excruciating period of uncertainty for official news and appealing for information about their children online.
The inferno devastated the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Verified video depict the ceiling igniting as beverages with fireworks are held aloft.
Authorities have stated that it could take considerable time to formally name the victims of the tragedy, which killed 40 people and wounded another scores more. Officials said on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with the process still underway to locate the remaining few.
In the waiting period, relatives have been taking to social media to appeal for clues about their friends who were at the bar that evening.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his mother.
The who lives of Lutry near the city, explained to a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his father did the equivalent search in the capital, but could not find him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. Words cannot describe it," she told the paper.
She continued that some of his companions had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through a terrifying ordeal."
The Italy's foreign ministry has said that a number of of its citizens have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Italy but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is deceased, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "talented young man who embodied dedication and authentic values."
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 formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Further Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His parent said that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.
"A close friend said they ran away after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he couldn't see him anymore," she said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers said, "I've always been struck by his kindness and smile, coupled with great responsibility. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her brother has posted an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no information" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the developments.