🔗 Share this article

The relatives of teens lost after a deadly blaze at a bar in a Swiss winter destination are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for confirmed information and pleading for clues about their loved ones via social media.

The fire engulfed the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Verified footage show the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.

Emergency services have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the those who perished of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and wounded another 119. Authorities stated on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work still underway to name the remaining few.

In the waiting period, families and friends have been posting on the internet to appeal for any news about their loved ones who were in attendance that evening.

Heartbreaking Pleas for the Missing

The location of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his mother.

The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, told a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but was unsuccessful.

"It feels like a terrible dream, a nightmare. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. Words cannot describe it," 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 Italian foreign ministry has said that six of its nationals remain missing.

One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage sportsman, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.

The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who carried with him dedication and true sportsmanship."

His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has stated that a official announcement of his death is still pending.

Other Missing Individuals

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother explained that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the bar.

"A close friend informed me they escaped after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.

One of his teachers stated, "I've always been struck by his kindness and positive demeanor, combined with great responsibility. He would frequently ask if help out."

Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek nationality but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to media.

Her brother has published an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Consular authorities from her other nation say they are actively engaged with the situation.