'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Relatives of Unaccounted For Young People Desperately Seek News After Ski Resort Blaze
The loved ones of teens lost after a tragic fire at a bar in a Swiss alpine town are facing an painful wait for official news and pleading for any details about their family members via social media.
The inferno ripped through the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the early hours of January 1st. Circulated footage show the ceiling being engulfed in flames as beverages with fireworks are raised in celebration.
Officials have warned that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the victims of the fire, which resulted in the death of four dozen individuals and hurt another scores more. Authorities said on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work still underway to locate the remaining few.
In the interim, families and friends have been taking to social media to appeal for any news about their friends who were at the bar that evening.
Appeals for the Missing
The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an appeal from his family.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, told a publication that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his father did the same in the capital, but could not find him.
"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. It's horrific," she stated.
She continued that some of his friends had been located with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through hell."
The Italy's foreign ministry has said that six of its nationals are still unaccounted for.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, who hailed from Italy but now residing in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is deceased, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "young athlete who represented dedication and true sportsmanship."
His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.
Other Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also unaccounted for. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and found himself at the venue.
"A close friend informed me they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she explained, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.
One of his teachers said, "He was known for his kindness and positive demeanor, alongside great responsibility. Often ask if get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to reports.
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 reported missing.
Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the developments.