The Swiss Ski Resort Fire: A Devastating Tragedy and a Frustrating Search for Missing Teens
The families of teenagers missing after a fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort are facing an agonizing wait for official news and are desperate for any information about their loved ones. The fire, which occurred in the early hours of New Year's Day, has left 40 people dead and 119 injured. Swiss authorities have warned that identifying the victims could take days or even weeks, which has only added to the anguish of the families.
The blaze, which started in the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, in the Alps in southwest Switzerland, was likely caused by sparklers held aloft by patrons. Images of the fire show the ceiling engulfed in flames. The authorities have confirmed that 113 of the injured have been identified, but six remain unidentified.
In the meantime, families and friends have taken to social media to appeal for information about their loved ones who were at the bar that night. One of the missing teens is Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, whose mother, Laetitia, has been searching for him for 30 hours. She has posted his photo online, hoping that someone might recognize him and contact her.
Ms. Brodard has been checking hospitals in Lausanne and Bern, but has not found her son. She described her experience as a living nightmare. Some of Arthur's friends were found with burns covering nearly half their bodies, which is a testament to the severity of the fire.
Another missing Italian national is Achille Osvaldo Giovanni Barosi, 16, who entered the bar at 1:30 a.m. on New Year's Day to retrieve his jacket and phone. His family has not heard from him since. Achille's aunt, Francesca, described him as a beautiful boy and an excellent painter, and the family is desperate to find him.
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that six of its citizens remain missing, including Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer from Genoa who now lives in Dubai. The Italian Golf Federation has announced his death, paying tribute to a young athlete with passion and authentic values. However, an Italian foreign ministry spokesperson has not yet confirmed the death.
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His mother, Carla Masiello, from Bologna, told La Repubblica that he had been on holiday with his father but had gone out with friends and ended up at La Constellation. She described how a close friend of Giovanni's claimed he ran away after the fire started and was still with his phone. Giovanni was wearing a gold chain with a small Madonna around his neck.
Tania Causio, one of Giovanni's teachers at Porta Saragozza High School, praised his kindness, smile, and maturity. She said he always asks her if she wants him to get her a coffee when she walks into class.
Emilie Pralong, 22, is also reported missing by her family. Her grandfather, Pierre, described the wait for information as agonizing, but he remains hopeful. He said they must be prepared for the worst, as they cannot dream of a different outcome in the face of such a tragedy.
Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to sources and reports in Greek media. Her brother has posted an appeal on Instagram, saying they have had no news about Alice or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing. Greek consular authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
The families of these missing teens are desperate for any information that could help them find their loved ones. The authorities are working to identify the victims, but the process is slow, and the families are facing an agonizing wait for news.
