The loved ones of teenagers unaccounted for after a devastating blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's ski resort are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for clues about their children via social media.
The inferno engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the early hours of New Year's Day. Verified footage depict the roof structure catching alight as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Emergency services have warned that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of numerous partygoers and hurt another 119. Authorities said on the latest update that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work continuing to name the final individuals.
In the waiting period, relatives have been using social media to request clues about their loved ones who were in attendance that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The location of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are not yet determined, according to an public plea from his mother.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, told a local newspaper that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but did not locate him.
"This is a living nightmare, a horror. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she said.
She explained that some of his companions had been found with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they endured hell."
The Italian government has said that six of its citizens are still unaccounted for.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, originally from Italy but now residing in Dubai.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is dead, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "talented young man who carried with him dedication and authentic values."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An official spokesperson has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Further Cases
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother told reporters that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with friends and found himself at the venue.
"A close friend informed me they fled after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he couldn't see him anymore," she said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his educators commented, "I remember his kindness and positive demeanor, combined with great responsibility. Often ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to reports.
Her sibling has shared an appeal online, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the developments.
