Crans-Montana, Switzerland – Kean Kaizer Talingdan, a 16-year-old Filipino who went missing after a deadly fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has been found alive and his identity confirmed.
The Philippine Embassy in Berne is coordinating with Swiss authorities to assist Filipinos affected by the incident.
“It has been confirmed that Kean is in Zurich and his identity has also been confirmed,” said his mother, Kristal Talingdan. He is currently confined at the University of Zurich Hospital and is being continuously monitored by doctors. “He is stable, but he cannot be approached yet. He is still in Zurich for now, and his vitals are stable,” Kristal added.
Kean was vacationing in Switzerland with three classmates for a short New Year’s break and was staying at a friend’s house.
According to his father, Yohan Guiot, he received a call from Kean around 4:00 AM on January 1 using a rescuer’s phone.
Kean was crying and in pain but said he was alive. He was given first aid at the scene for nearly 45 minutes before being rushed to the hospital. Kean may be transferred to Niguarda Hospital in Milan, Italy, if he gets clearance from the doctors, his mother said.
The fire broke out around 1:30 AM on January 1, killing at least 40 people and injuring 121. Only four of the victims, all Swiss, have been identified so far, with identification proving difficult due to severe burns. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
