'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Missing Young People Await Answers After Alpine Fire
The families of young people unaccounted for after a tragic fire at a venue in a Swiss alpine town are confronting an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and appealing for clues about their family members online.
The fire engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of January 1st. Verified footage reveal the roof structure igniting as beverages with fireworks are held aloft.
Officials have indicated that it could take considerable time to formally name the those who perished of the disaster, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and injured another over a hundred. A spokesperson noted on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work continuing to locate the other six.
In the interim, relatives have been posting on the internet to plead for any news about their friends who were in attendance that evening.
Appeals for the Missing
The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his parent.
The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, told a publication that she had returned to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father 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 hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she told the paper.
She explained that some of his peers had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they endured hell."
The Italian government has said that six of its nationals remain missing.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old promising athlete, originally from Genoa but now living in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is deceased, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who represented dedication and authentic values."
His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise unaccounted for. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.
"A close friend told me they fled 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 good nature and smile, combined with great maturity. Every time offer to get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also present on that night, according to media.
Her brother has published an appeal online, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her other nation say they are actively engaged with the situation.