The families of teenagers lost after a tragic blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an painful period of uncertainty for answers and requesting any details about their loved ones publicly.
The blaze devastated the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Confirmed footage reveal the roof structure igniting as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the tragedy, which killed 40 people and wounded another 119. Officials stated on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work still underway to identify the remaining few.
In the meantime, loved ones have been taking to social media to appeal for clues about their missing relatives who were present at the venue that evening.
Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For
The location of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his mother.
The resident of a town near Lausanne, told a publication that she had gone back to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in the capital, but did not locate 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 terrible," she stated.
She added that some of his companions had been located with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they went through hell."
The Italy's foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its nationals have not been located.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage sportsman, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.
The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values."
His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An representative has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His parent said that he had been on holiday but had gone out with a group and found himself at the bar.
"A close friend said they ran away after the fire started and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.
One of his educators stated, "I remember his kindness and smile, alongside great maturity. Often ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to reports.
Her brother has posted an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Officials from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the developments.
