Crans-Montana, the father of Giuseppe Giola: “My son escaped and raised the alarm, but he doesn’t know that his friends have died.”
The father of Giuseppe, one of the survivors: “Now that he has been extubated, he asks for news — but it’s not time for the truth.”
Crans-Montana — “My son doesn’t know that his friend Chiara is gone. We don’t have the courage to tell him. It would be too hard for him. He’s slowly recovering from that terrible day.”
Valentino Giola, 51, a Milan-based real estate lawyer, is relieved that his son Giuseppe survived the New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana, at the venue “Le Constellation,” where 40 people died, including six Italians. Giuseppe is 16, studies at Gonzaga in Milan, and that night he was there with his group of Italian friends — many from Milan like him. They had planned New Year’s together: Chiara Costanzo, Achille Barosi, Sofia Prosperi. Today, all are victims of that tragedy. The group also included Francesca Nota, who is hospitalized in a medically induced coma at Niguarda Hospital. Giuseppe is now there as well at Niguarda: he has burns to his face and one hand, but he is doing well. “He has been extubated,” Valentino adds, “but his first thought was for his friends. He keeps asking for news.”
Valentino, tell me about that night. Giuseppe was with those boys and girls who are no longer here today.
“Yes. They were part of the same group, long-time friends. Italian kids who had known each other for years, all children of friends. I watched them grow up.”
When did you realize something was wrong?
“We were having dinner at the Costanzo family’s home to celebrate New Year’s. Then my wife’s phone rang: it was Giuseppe. It was strange that he was calling because we had just exchanged New Year’s wishes. He was screaming, ‘Come immediately, everything is on fire.’ He was the one who raised the alarm to the families.”
From there, a tragic night began.
“We got into the car and started calling all the parents we knew, one after another, telling them to run to ‘Le Constellation’ because our children were in danger.”
What did you see when you arrived outside the venue?
“Hell on earth: flames engulfing the building, hundreds of young people running, parents desperately searching for their children — just like us. Everything was burning, even people. My wife and I immediately spotted Giuseppe on the street in front of the venue.”
What condition was your son in?
“He was without his jacket — luckily he hadn’t gone back inside to get it. His face was red, but he was lucid. He told us about the flames, the music that kept playing, and then the panic. He managed to get out in time, but he was looking for Chiara and Francesca.”
Did you go straight to the hospital after that?
“Yes. I put him in the car and we drove to the nearest hospital. Then I alerted the crisis unit at the Italian Foreign Ministry, which activated immediately. At that moment, no one knew what was really happening there.”
What injuries did he sustain?
“Burns on his face and one hand. He was very lucky. The head physician confirmed that as well.”
Does Giuseppe know today what happened to Chiara and Francesca and the other friends?
“No. He only knows about the kids who are hospitalized. He knows nothing about Chiara. It’s not time to tell him.”
Many parents are thanking your son.
“Yes. Everyone thanks him because he was the one who raised the alarm among the Italian families. He was clear-headed. In a situation like that, it’s not automatic to think of calling home. He did.”
