The families of teens lost after a devastating fire at a establishment in a Switzerland's alpine town are enduring an agonising wait for confirmed information and appealing for any details about their family members publicly.
The fire devastated the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Circulated images depict the roof structure being engulfed in flames as beverages with fireworks are raised in celebration.
Emergency services have stated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the fatalities of the fire, which resulted in the death of 40 people and injured another 119. Officials said on the latest update that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work continuing to locate the remaining few.
In the waiting period, families and friends have been taking to social media to plead for clues about their friends who were at the bar that evening.
The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.
The who lives of a town near Lausanne, informed a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the hospital, 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. Words cannot describe it," she said.
She continued that some of his companions had been discovered with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they went through hell."
The Italian government has confirmed that a number of of its citizens have not been located.
Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old promising athlete, who hailed from Genoa but now living in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who represented dedication and true sportsmanship."
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, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother explained that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with friends and found himself at the bar.
"A companion told me they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.
One of his educators commented, "I remember his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. Every time ask if get me a coffee."
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to media.
Her sibling has published an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.
Consular authorities from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the case.
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