'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Relatives of Unaccounted For Young People Await Information After Alpine Blaze

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

The loved ones of young people missing after a tragic fire at a bar in a Swiss winter destination are confronting an excruciating period of uncertainty for confirmed information and pleading for clues about their loved ones via social media.

The blaze engulfed the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Verified video show the ceiling igniting as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.

Authorities have warned that it could take an extended period to identify the fatalities of the tragedy, which killed 40 people and wounded another 119. Officials noted on the latest update that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with efforts continuing to name the other six.

In the interim, relatives have been posting on social media to appeal for any news about their missing relatives who were at the bar that evening.

Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For

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

The resident of Lutry near the city, informed a publication 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.

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

She continued that some of his friends had been discovered with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they endured a terrifying ordeal."

The Italian foreign ministry has said that a number of of its young people are still unaccounted for.

Missing teen photo
Teenage sportsman Emanuele Galeppini, sixteen, was last in contact around the turn of the new year on New Year's Eve, his father said.

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

The national sporting body has said that he is no longer with us, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who embodied dedication and true sportsmanship."

His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.

Other Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the bar.

"Someone with him told me they ran away after the fire started and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he they were separated," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his educators commented, "He was known for his good nature and positive demeanor, coupled with great responsibility. Every time offer to get me a coffee."

Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to reports.

Her sibling has published an urgent request on social media, saying the relatives has had "no information" 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 closely watching the developments.

Kevin Molina
Kevin Molina

A tech enthusiast and gaming analyst with a passion for exploring cutting-edge digital experiences and sharing actionable insights.