'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Relatives of Unaccounted For Teenagers Await News After Alpine Inferno
The families of young people missing after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's alpine town are confronting an agonising period of uncertainty for official news and requesting clues about their loved ones via social media.
The inferno ripped through the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of New Year's Day. Verified footage depict the roof structure catching alight as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Officials have warned that it could take an extended period to formally name the victims of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and wounded another 119. Officials stated on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with efforts continuing to identify the final individuals.
In the meantime, relatives have been posting on social media to request information about their missing relatives who were in attendance that fateful night.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his family.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, explained to a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but did not locate him.
"This is a living nightmare, a nightmare. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. Words cannot describe it," she stated.
She explained that some of his peers had been located with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."
The Italy's government has said that six of its nationals remain missing.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, originally from Italy but now living in the UAE.
The national sporting body has said that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who represented dedication and authentic values."
His father, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had gone out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"A close friend informed me they escaped after the fire started and that he had his mobile 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 said, "He was known for his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. He would frequently offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.
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 unaccounted for.
Officials from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the case.