'Living a Nightmare': Loved Ones of Missing Teenagers Await Answers After Alpine Inferno
The loved ones of teenagers lost after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's winter destination are confronting an painful wait for official news and requesting any details about their children publicly.
The blaze engulfed the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Verified images depict the ceiling catching alight as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Officials have stated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the disaster, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and hurt another 119. A spokesperson said on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been identified, with the process ongoing to identify the other six.
In the interim, relatives have been taking to the internet to appeal for information about their friends who were in attendance that night.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are not yet determined, according to an heartfelt request from his parent.
The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, explained to a publication that she had returned to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. It's horrific," she stated.
She added that some of his peers had been located with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they endured a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has said that six of its nationals remain missing.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, originally from Italy but now residing in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, paying tribute to a "talented young man who carried with him passion and authentic values."
His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also among the missing. His mother said that he had been on holiday but had gone out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"Someone with him told me they escaped after the fire started and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she said, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers commented, "I remember his kindness and smile, combined with great maturity. He would frequently ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to media.
Her sibling has posted an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the situation.