🔗 Share this article

The loved ones of young people unaccounted for after a devastating blaze at a venue in a Swiss ski resort are enduring an painful wait for official news and pleading for information about their children online.

The blaze engulfed the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Verified footage depict the ceiling catching alight as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.

Officials have stated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the fire, which killed four dozen individuals and hurt another over a hundred. Authorities stated on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been identified, with the process ongoing to name the remaining few.

In the meantime, loved ones have been using social media to plead for any news about their friends who were in attendance that night.

Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For

The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an appeal from his parent.

The resident of Lutry near the city, explained to a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father did the equivalent search in the capital, but did not locate him.

"This is a living nightmare, a horror. The options are finding 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 friends had been found with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through an absolute nightmare."

The Italian government has confirmed that six of its young people have not been located.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.

The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "talented young man who represented passion and true sportsmanship."

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

Other Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also unaccounted for. His parent said that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and found himself at the venue.

"Someone with him told 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 said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.

One of his educators stated, "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 nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to sources.

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

Officials from her country of origin say they are closely watching the case.