'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Teenagers Await Information After Ski Resort Blaze
The families of teenagers lost after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's ski resort are confronting an excruciating wait for official news and appealing for clues about their loved ones via social media.
The inferno engulfed the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Circulated footage reveal the ceiling igniting as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.
Authorities have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the victims of the disaster, which claimed the lives of numerous partygoers and wounded another 119. Officials noted on Friday that 113 of the injured have been identified, with efforts ongoing to locate the final individuals.
In the meantime, loved ones have been taking to online platforms to appeal for any news about their friends who were at the bar that evening.
Appeals for the Missing
The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are not yet determined, according to an appeal from his family.
The who lives of a town near the city, explained to a publication that she had returned to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in the capital, but could not find him.
"I'm living a nightmare, a horror. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in critical condition. It's terrible," she stated.
She continued that some of his peers had been located with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through an absolute nightmare."
The Italian foreign ministry has said that six of its nationals are still unaccounted for.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "young athlete who represented dedication and true sportsmanship."
His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An official spokesperson has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Further Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother said that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with friends and found himself at the bar.
"A companion informed me they ran away after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he couldn't see him anymore," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.
One of his educators commented, "He was known for his kindness and smile, coupled with great maturity. Often ask if get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives permanently in the country, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her brother has shared an appeal online, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are actively engaged with the situation.