The loved ones of young people lost after a devastating inferno at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an agonising wait for answers and appealing for any details about their loved ones via social media.
The inferno ripped through the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of New Year's Day. Verified video show the ceiling igniting as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Officials have indicated that it could take an extended period to identify the victims of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of 40 people and hurt another 119. Authorities stated on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with the process still underway to name the other six.
In the interim, relatives have been taking to the internet to plead for information about their missing relatives who were at the bar that night.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his family.
The resident of a town near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his father did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.
"I'm living a nightmare, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. It's horrific," she stated.
She added that some of his peers had been found with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its young people are still unaccounted for.
One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, originally from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.
The national sporting body has stated that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who carried with him passion and authentic values."
His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An representative has clarified that a official announcement of his death is still pending.
Additional Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother explained that he had been on vacation but had gone out with friends and ended up at the bar.
"A close friend informed me they escaped after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he lost sight of him," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.
One of his teachers commented, "I've always been struck by his good nature and positive demeanor, coupled with great maturity. Often offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.
Her sibling has published an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Officials from her country of origin say they are actively engaged with the case.
