'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Relatives of Unaccounted For Teenagers Await News After Ski Resort Blaze
The relatives of young people missing after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Swiss alpine town are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for any details about their family members via social media.
The inferno engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of New Year's Day. Circulated footage reveal the roof structure being engulfed in flames as beverages with fireworks are held aloft.
Officials have warned that it could take considerable time to identify the those who perished of the tragedy, which killed four dozen individuals and injured another scores more. Officials noted on Friday that the majority of the injured have been accounted for, with efforts ongoing to name the other six.
In the meantime, relatives have been using social media to plead for clues about their loved ones who were present at the venue that night.
Desperate Searches for the Missing
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his family.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, informed a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the same in Bern, but could not find him.
"This is a living nightmare, a horror. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she told the paper.
She added that some of his peers had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced hell."
The Italian government has indicated that six of its citizens are still unaccounted for.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Italy but now living in Dubai.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "talented young man who represented passion and authentic values."
His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Further Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His mother said that he had been on holiday but had gone out with a group and found himself at the bar.
"Someone with him said they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.
One of his teachers stated, "I've always been struck by his good nature and positive demeanor, combined with great maturity. He would frequently ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.
Her brother has shared an urgent request on social media, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Officials from her country of origin say they are actively engaged with the case.