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Teenagers Eleonore and Elisa began the new year desperately searching for friends who have been missing since a deadly fire erupted at a bar in a nearby Swiss town.
“Are they okay? Are they just at the hospital?” one of the 17-year-olds asked.
They haven’t heard anything since a fire ravaged a New Year’s celebration in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana, transforming what was supposed to be a night of celebration into a tragic international incident.
Authorities estimate approximately 40 people lost their lives, with about 115 injured, many of whom were young tourists visiting the Swiss Alps.
Officials have commenced the challenging task of identifying the victims, but with some bodies severely burned, they warn the process might take days or even weeks.
Families and friends are racing to locate loved ones, sharing photos widely on social media.
“We tried to reach them; some of their locations still appear here,” said Eleonore, gesturing toward the bar now covered by white tarps and surrounded by temporary barriers.
“We took lots of photos and uploaded them everywhere online—Instagram, Facebook, every social network—to try and find them,” she added.
“I called their parents. No response. Nothing. Even the parents are in the dark,” she continued.
They have learned that one friend is in a coma at a hospital in Lausanne.
More than 30 victims were transported to hospitals specializing in burn treatment in Zurich and Lausanne, with six taken to Geneva, according to a Swiss news agency.
There’s no official count of the missing or the total number of people present at the bar that night.
Gian Lorenzo Cornado, Italy’s ambassador, told AFP that five of the injured have yet to be identified.
A short distance from the charred remains of the bar, the nearby convention center has been converted into a crisis center.
Families of the victims, protected by authorities, diplomats, and chaplains, are being received and provided with assistance.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin assured that the support available will be “long-lasting.”
Nathan, a 19-year-old who was inside the bar just before the fire broke out, told AFP he keeps expecting to wake up and realize it was all a nightmare.
“It feels like… I’m going to wake up tomorrow and see my loved ones back, who sadly lost their lives,” he said.
“Usually, New Year’s is full of happiness, but unfortunately, that’s not the case this year.”
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