🔗 Share this article

The loved ones of teenagers unaccounted for after a tragic fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort are enduring an agonising period of uncertainty for confirmed information and pleading for information about their children publicly.

The fire ripped through the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Confirmed images show the roof structure being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.

Emergency services have indicated that it could take considerable time to formally name the those who perished of the fire, which resulted in the death of 40 people and injured another over a hundred. Officials noted on the latest update that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work ongoing to identify the remaining few.

In the interim, relatives have been posting on social media to appeal for information about their missing relatives who were in attendance that fateful night.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

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

The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, explained to a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but did not locate him.

"This is a living nightmare, a nightmare. Either I find 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 located with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced hell."

The Italy's government has confirmed that six of its citizens have not been located.

Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, originally from Italy but now residing in Dubai.

The national sporting body has said that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values."

His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Further Cases

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

"Someone with him said they fled after the fire erupted 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 distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his educators said, "He was known for his kindness and smile, combined with great maturity. Often ask if help out."

Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.

Her brother has shared an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.

Officials from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the developments.