'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Families of Missing Young People Await Answers After Alpine Blaze
The loved ones of teens lost after a devastating blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's alpine town are enduring an painful period of uncertainty for answers and appealing for information about their loved ones online.
The inferno devastated the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of January 1st. Confirmed footage reveal the roof structure igniting as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the tragedy, which killed four dozen individuals and hurt another over a hundred. Officials noted on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with the process still underway to name the final individuals.
In the meantime, loved ones have been using social media to appeal for any news about their loved ones who were at the bar that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are not yet determined, according to an appeal from his family.
The resident of Lutry near the city, explained to a publication that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the same in the capital, but could not find him.
"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she said.
She explained that some of his companions had been discovered with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they endured a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that six of its citizens are still unaccounted for.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, originally from Genoa but now living in the UAE.
The national sporting body has said that he is deceased, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who represented passion and authentic values."
His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His parent said that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the venue.
"A companion 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 teachers commented, "I've always been struck by his good nature and smile, coupled with great maturity. He would frequently offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to reports.
Her brother has shared an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the developments.