🔗 Share this article

The families of teenagers unaccounted for after a tragic blaze at a venue in a Swiss winter destination are enduring an excruciating period of uncertainty for confirmed information and pleading for any details about their loved ones publicly.

The inferno devastated the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of the Valais region, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Verified footage show the roof structure being engulfed in flames as beverages with sparklers are raised in celebration.

Authorities have warned that it could take days if not weeks to identify the fatalities of the fire, which resulted in the death of 40 people and hurt another 119. A spokesperson noted on the latest update that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work still underway to name the other six.

In the meantime, loved ones have been using the internet to request clues about their friends who were present at the venue that fateful night.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his mother.

The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, informed a publication that she had gone back to the city to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but could not find him.

"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she told the paper.

She added that some of his companions had been discovered with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."

The Italian foreign ministry has said that a number of of its nationals have not been located.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, who hailed from Italy but now living in the UAE.

The national sporting body has said that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "young athlete who represented dedication and authentic values."

His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Further Missing Individuals

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His mother told reporters that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.

"Someone with him told me they escaped after the fire started and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he couldn't see him anymore," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his educators stated, "He was known for his good nature and smile, coupled with great responsibility. Every time ask if help out."

Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek nationality but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also present on that night, according to reports.

Her sibling has posted an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.

Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the case.