Crans-Montana fire: families face agonising wait for victims' identification

"The group of 15 young people had travelled from Milan to Crans-Montana, some of them crossing the border by car, others by train, to celebrate New Year's Eve. The Swiss ski resort was well known to them, having spent summers here with their families, and a big draw was marking the new year in the bar that in recent years had become known as the place to be."

"Two of the eldest, Marco, 20, and Gabriele, 18, had planned to join their friends in the venue appreciated by young people for being an affordable place to party in a resort popular with celebrities and wealthy skiers shortly after midnight but by a last-minute twist of fate decided not to. Achille Barosi is missing after the fire. Photograph: Family handout Now they are searching for the four among them who were still missing as of Friday evening, including Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo, both 16."

"Sometimes that is how destiny plays out, said Gabriele, standing beside a floral and candle tribute at the scene. It is devastating. Another Italian who was not with them, Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old international golfer who lived in Dubai, was the first of the victims to be identified publicly. His uncle, Sebastiano Galeppini, told the Italian news agency Ansa that the family was awaiting DNA checks, but the Italian Golf Federation announced on its website that he had died."

Fifteen young people traveled from Milan to Crans-Montana to celebrate New Year's Eve, some by car and others by train. A fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar, killing about 40 people and critically injuring dozens. Eight members of the group escaped, three were among the 80 critically injured, and four remained missing as of Friday evening. Two older members, Marco and Gabriele, narrowly avoided the venue after changing plans. Missing teenagers include 16-year-olds Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo and a British-educated teen, Charlotte Niddam. Families await DNA checks and communities have offered support.

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