'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Relatives of Unaccounted For Teenagers Await Answers After Alpine Fire
The loved ones of young people unaccounted for after a devastating inferno at a bar in a Swiss ski resort are confronting an agonising wait for official news and appealing for any details about their family members publicly.
The fire 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 New Year's Day. Verified images show the roof structure being engulfed in flames as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.
Authorities have stated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and wounded another 119. Authorities said on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work continuing to identify the other six.
In the waiting period, loved ones have been using the internet to appeal for any news about their friends who were present at the venue that night.
Appeals for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are currently unknown, according to an public plea from his parent.
The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, told a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the hospital, 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. Words cannot describe it," she said.
She explained that some of his companions had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced hell."
The Italy's foreign ministry has confirmed that six of its citizens have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage sportsman, who hailed from Italy but now residing in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "talented young man who represented passion and authentic values."
His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An representative has clarified that a official announcement of his death is awaited.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His mother explained that he had been on vacation but had gone out with friends and found himself at the bar.
"A companion informed me they fled after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he couldn't see him anymore," she explained, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.
One of his educators said, "I've always been struck by his good nature and smile, coupled with great responsibility. Often offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to media.
Her brother has shared an appeal on social media, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the case.