'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Families of Missing Young People Desperately Seek Information After Ski Resort Fire
The families of teens lost after a devastating fire at a establishment in a Switzerland's ski resort are facing an painful wait for confirmed information and appealing for clues about their family members via social media.
The blaze devastated the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Circulated footage show the ceiling igniting as beverages with fireworks are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take an extended period to identify the fatalities of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and injured another 119. A spokesperson noted on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with the process continuing to locate the other six.
In the interim, loved ones have been taking to online platforms to request any news about their loved ones who were present at the venue that night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are not yet determined, according to an public plea from his family.
The who lives of a town near the city, informed a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"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 said.
She continued that some of his friends had been found with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they endured an absolute nightmare."
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that six of its citizens have not been located.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Italy but now living in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who embodied passion and true sportsmanship."
His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact 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 told reporters that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and found himself at the venue.
"Someone with him informed me they fled after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his teachers commented, "I've always been struck by his kindness and positive demeanor, coupled with great responsibility. Every time offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek nationality but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also present on that night, according to sources.
Her brother has posted an appeal on social media, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are closely watching the developments.