'Living a Nightmare': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teenagers Desperately Seek News After Alpine Blaze
The loved ones of young people unaccounted for after a devastating blaze at a venue in a Swiss alpine town are enduring an excruciating wait for answers and appealing for any details about their family members online.
The blaze engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of January 1st. Circulated images reveal the roof structure catching alight as beverages with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Officials have indicated that it could take an extended period to formally name the fatalities of the disaster, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and hurt another 119. A spokesperson said on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been identified, with work ongoing to identify the final individuals.
In the waiting period, loved ones have been posting on online platforms to request information about their loved ones who were present at the venue that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Missing
The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.
The who lives of a town near Lausanne, explained to a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but did not locate him.
"This is a living nightmare, a nightmare. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in critical condition. It's horrific," she said.
She added that some of his friends had been located with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they went through a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has indicated that six of its young people have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage sportsman, originally from Genoa but now living in Dubai.
The national sporting body has said that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who embodied dedication and authentic values."
His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has indicated that a official announcement of his death is not yet.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise among the missing. His mother explained that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the venue.
"A companion informed me they escaped after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he couldn't see him anymore," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.
One of his teachers stated, "He was known for his kindness and positive demeanor, alongside great maturity. He would frequently offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to media.
Her sibling has shared an appeal on social media, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are actively engaged with the developments.