'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Unaccounted For Young People Await Information After Alpine Inferno

Unaccounted teen photo
16-year-old Swiss national Arthur Brodard is one of those unaccounted for.

The loved ones of teenagers missing after a deadly blaze at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for any details about their loved ones via social media.

The blaze ripped through the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Confirmed footage reveal the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with fireworks are held aloft.

Emergency services have warned that it could take an extended period to identify the those who perished of the fire, which killed 40 people and wounded another over a hundred. Officials noted on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been accounted for, with work still underway to name the final individuals.

In the interim, relatives have been posting on social media to request clues about their loved ones who were in attendance that evening.

Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For

The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his mother.

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

"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. Words cannot describe it," she said.

She explained that some of his friends had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."

The Italy's foreign ministry has indicated that a number of of its nationals remain missing.

Unaccounted teen photo
Young athlete Emanuele Galeppini, 16, was last in contact around midnight on December 31st, according to.

One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now living in the UAE.

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

His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An official spokesperson has clarified that a official announcement of his death is still pending.

Other Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His parent told reporters that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with friends and found himself at the venue.

"A companion said they escaped after the fire started and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she explained, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.

One of his teachers commented, "He was known for his kindness and positive demeanor, combined with great responsibility. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."

Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also present on that night, according to media.

Her sibling has published an urgent request online, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

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

John Martin
John Martin

Elara is a fashion enthusiast and writer passionate about urban culture and style trends.