'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Loved Ones of Missing Teenagers Await News After Ski Resort Inferno

Unaccounted teen photo
Teenage Swiss teenager a young man from Switzerland is among the missing.

The relatives of teenagers lost after a devastating blaze at a establishment in a Swiss alpine town are enduring an excruciating period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for any details about their family members online.

The blaze engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of January 1st. Circulated video show the roof structure being engulfed in flames as bottles with fireworks are held aloft.

Officials have warned that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the fatalities of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of 40 people and wounded another scores more. Officials said on Friday that the majority of the injured have been accounted for, with the process ongoing to identify the other six.

In the meantime, families and friends have been taking to social media to request any news about their missing relatives who were at the bar that evening.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.

The who lives of a town near Lausanne, informed a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the same in Bern, but could not find him.

"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. It's horrific," she said.

She continued that some of his peers had been located with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they endured a terrifying ordeal."

The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its nationals remain missing.

Missing teen portrait
Young athlete Emanuele Galeppini, sixteen, was last heard from around the turn of the new year on December 31st, according to.

One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old promising athlete, who hailed from Italy but now living in Dubai.

The national sporting body has stated that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who represented dedication and authentic values."

His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An representative has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.

Additional Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also among the missing. His parent told reporters that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the bar.

"Someone with him told me they ran away after the fire started 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 distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his teachers stated, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, alongside great responsibility. He would frequently ask if get me a coffee."

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

Her brother has posted an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.

Officials from her other nation say they are actively engaged with the developments.

James White
James White

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