'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Loved Ones of Missing Young People Await Answers After Alpine Blaze

Unaccounted teen portrait
Teenage Swiss national a young man from Switzerland is listed as missing.

The families of teenagers missing after a tragic fire at a bar in a Switzerland's ski resort are enduring an painful period of uncertainty for official news and appealing for clues about their children publicly.

The blaze ripped through the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Confirmed video reveal the roof structure igniting as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.

Officials have stated that it could take considerable time to identify the those who perished of the disaster, which resulted in the death of 40 people and injured another 119. Officials noted on Friday that the majority of the injured have been identified, with the process ongoing to identify the other six.

In the waiting period, loved ones have been using the internet to appeal for clues about their friends who were present at the venue that fateful night.

Appeals for the Missing

The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are not yet determined, according to an heartfelt request from his parent.

The who lives of a town near Lausanne, informed a publication that she had gone back to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but could not find him.

"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in critical condition. It's terrible," she said.

She continued that some of his companions had been discovered with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced an absolute nightmare."

The Italy's government has indicated that six of its nationals are still unaccounted for.

Unaccounted teen photo
Young athlete Emanuele Galeppini, sixteen, was last in contact around midnight on New Year's Eve, as stated by.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, originally from Italy but now living in the UAE.

The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who carried with him dedication and true sportsmanship."

His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has clarified that a official announcement of his death is awaited.

Other Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also unaccounted for. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with friends and found himself at the bar.

"A close friend informed me they escaped after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he they were separated," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his teachers said, "I remember his kindness and smile, combined with great maturity. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."

Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek nationality but lives permanently in the country, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to reports.

Her brother has shared an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Consular authorities from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the situation.

Donna Saunders
Donna Saunders

A meteorologist and tech enthusiast with a passion for making complex topics accessible and engaging for readers worldwide.