'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Relatives of Unaccounted For Teens Await Information After Ski Resort Blaze
The families of teens missing after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Swiss alpine town are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for confirmed information and pleading for any details about their loved ones online.
The inferno devastated the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of January 1st. Confirmed footage show the ceiling catching alight as beverages with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take considerable time to identify the those who perished of the disaster, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and wounded another scores more. A spokesperson noted on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been identified, with efforts ongoing to identify the final individuals.
In the waiting period, families and friends have been posting on social media to appeal for clues about their missing relatives who were at the bar that night.
Heartbreaking Pleas for the Missing
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his family.
The resident of Lutry near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but did not locate him.
"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. Words cannot describe it," she said.
She explained that some of his friends had been discovered with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its nationals are still unaccounted for.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, who hailed from Italy but now residing in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has stated that he is deceased, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who embodied dedication and authentic values."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise among the missing. His mother explained that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"A close friend said they escaped after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she explained, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.
One of his teachers stated, "He was known for his good nature and smile, combined with great responsibility. Often offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to media.
Her sibling has posted an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no information" 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 developments.