'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Young People Desperately Seek Information After Alpine Blaze
The families of teenagers unaccounted for after a tragic fire at a establishment in a Switzerland's alpine town are confronting an painful wait for official news and appealing for clues about their children online.
The fire ripped through the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of New Year's Day. Confirmed footage reveal the roof structure catching alight as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.
Officials have indicated that it could take an extended period to formally name the fatalities of the disaster, which resulted in the death of four dozen individuals and hurt another scores more. Authorities stated on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been identified, with the process still underway to locate the other six.
In the meantime, families and friends have been using social media to appeal for any news about their friends who were present at the venue that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his mother.
The resident of Lutry near the city, explained to a publication that she had gone back to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in the capital, but did not locate him.
"This is a living nightmare, a horror. The options are finding 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 friends had been discovered with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's government has indicated that six of its citizens remain missing.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has said that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who carried with him passion and true sportsmanship."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has stated that a official announcement of his death is still pending.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise among the missing. His parent said that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the bar.
"A companion informed me they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he lost sight of him," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers stated, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, coupled with great maturity. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also present on that night, according to reports.
Her brother has published an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are closely watching the developments.