The loved ones of teenagers lost after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's winter destination are confronting an agonising period of uncertainty for confirmed information and pleading for any details about their children via social media.
The blaze ripped through the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Circulated images depict the roof structure igniting as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.
Emergency services have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the victims of the disaster, which killed four dozen individuals and wounded another scores more. Authorities said on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work still underway to identify the remaining few.
In the interim, loved ones have been using online platforms to appeal for information about their loved ones who were in attendance that evening.
The location of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.
The who lives of Lutry near the city, explained to a local newspaper that she had gone back to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the equivalent search in the capital, but was unsuccessful.
"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she said.
She continued that some of his peers had been discovered with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."
The Italian government has indicated that a number of of its citizens have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Genoa but now living in the UAE.
The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who embodied passion and authentic values."
His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An official spokesperson has stated that a official announcement of his death is awaited.
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 venue.
"A close friend informed me they escaped after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he couldn't see him anymore," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his educators stated, "He was known for his good nature and smile, combined with great maturity. Often offer to help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives permanently in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to sources.
Her sibling has posted an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are actively engaged with the situation.
