'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Loved Ones of Missing Young People Await Answers After Alpine Inferno
The families of teenagers lost after a deadly fire at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an excruciating period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for information about their family members via social media.
The inferno ripped through the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of New Year's Day. Circulated video reveal the roof structure igniting as bottles with fireworks are held aloft.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take an extended period to formally name the victims of the fire, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and injured another over a hundred. Officials noted on Friday that the majority of the injured have been identified, with efforts ongoing to locate the other six.
In the meantime, families and friends have been posting on social media to request clues about their missing relatives who were in attendance that evening.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The location 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 publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but did not locate him.
"This is a living nightmare, a horror. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. It's terrible," she said.
She explained that some of his friends had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italian government has confirmed that six of its young people are still unaccounted for.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, originally from Italy but now residing in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is deceased, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values."
His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.
Additional Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His parent explained that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.
"Someone with him informed me they fled after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she said, 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, alongside great maturity. Every time ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives full-time in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to sources.
Her brother has shared an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Officials from her other nation say they are actively engaged with the situation.