'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Young People Await News After Alpine Fire

The families of teenagers lost after a deadly fire at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are confronting an excruciating wait for answers and requesting clues about their children via social media.

The blaze devastated the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of January 1st. Circulated video depict the ceiling igniting as beverages with fireworks are held aloft.

Authorities have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the fire, which resulted in the death of 40 people and hurt another over a hundred. A spokesperson stated on Friday that 113 of the injured have been identified, with efforts still underway to name the other six.

In the meantime, families and friends have been posting on online platforms to request any news about their missing relatives who were present at the venue that evening.

Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For

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

The who lives of a town near the city, explained to a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but was unsuccessful.

"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. It's terrible," she told the paper.

She added that some of his peers had been discovered with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."

The Italian foreign ministry has indicated that a number of of its nationals are still unaccounted for.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, originally from Italy but now living in Dubai.

The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who carried with him passion and authentic values."

His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An representative has clarified that a official announcement of his death is awaited.

Further Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother said that he had been on vacation but had gone out with friends and found himself at the bar.

"A close friend informed me they ran away after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he couldn't see him anymore," she said, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

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

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

Her brother has shared an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.

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