'Living a Nightmare': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teenagers Await Answers After Alpine Blaze
The relatives of teens unaccounted for after a tragic blaze at a bar in a Switzerland's alpine town are enduring an agonising wait for answers and requesting clues about their family members publicly.
The inferno ripped through the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of January 1st. Verified images depict the ceiling catching alight as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.
Officials have warned that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the those who perished of the fire, which resulted in the death of 40 people and hurt another 119. Officials stated on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with the process ongoing to locate the final individuals.
In the meantime, loved ones have been taking to online platforms to appeal for clues about their missing relatives who were at the bar that evening.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Missing
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are not yet determined, according to an public plea from his mother.
The resident of a town near the city, told a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but was unsuccessful.
"This is a living nightmare, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in critical condition. It's terrible," she said.
She continued that some of his friends had been found with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they went through an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its citizens remain missing.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage sportsman, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who embodied dedication and true sportsmanship."
His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An official spokesperson has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also among the missing. His parent explained that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the bar.
"A companion informed me they fled after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he they were separated," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers stated, "He was known for his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. He would frequently ask if get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek nationality but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to reports.
Her brother has posted an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old 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 situation.