'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Relatives of Missing Teens Await Answers After Ski Resort Inferno
The families of young people unaccounted for after a tragic blaze at a venue in a Swiss winter destination are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for clues about their children online.
The fire engulfed the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Circulated footage reveal the roof structure igniting as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take considerable time to identify the victims of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of numerous partygoers and wounded another over a hundred. Officials noted on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with efforts continuing to locate the final individuals.
In the meantime, relatives have been posting on social media to request information about their loved ones who were in attendance that evening.
Appeals for the Missing
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an heartfelt request from his parent.
The who lives of Lutry near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"I'm living a nightmare, a horror. 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 peers had been located with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced hell."
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its citizens have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Genoa but now living in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is deceased, without mentioning the fire, honoring a "young athlete who represented 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 clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise among the missing. His mother said that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and ended up at the bar.
"A companion informed me they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he lost sight of him," she said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his educators commented, "I remember his kindness and positive demeanor, coupled with great maturity. Often ask if get me a coffee."
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 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.
Officials from her other nation say they are closely watching the case.