🔗 Share this article

The relatives of young people missing after a tragic blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's alpine town are confronting an excruciating period of uncertainty for official news and pleading for any details about their children publicly.

The fire engulfed the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Confirmed video show the roof structure igniting as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.

Officials have warned that it could take days if not weeks to identify the fatalities of the disaster, which killed numerous partygoers and injured another scores more. Officials said on the latest update that 113 of the those hurt have been identified, with work continuing to name the final individuals.

In the waiting period, loved ones have been using social media to request any news about their missing relatives who were present at the venue that night.

Appeals for the Missing

The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his parent.

The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, informed a publication that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but did not locate him.

"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. 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 peers had been found with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they endured a terrifying ordeal."

The Italy's government has confirmed that a number of of its nationals remain missing.

One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.

The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, paying tribute to a "talented young man who embodied passion and authentic values."

His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An official spokesperson has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Additional Missing Individuals

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother said that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the venue.

"Someone with him said they fled after the fire erupted 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 piece of jewelry.

One of his educators commented, "He was known for his kindness and positive demeanor, coupled with great maturity. He would frequently offer to help out."

Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.

Her sibling has posted an urgent request online, saying the relatives has had "no updates" 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 situation.