🔗 Share this article

The families of teenagers unaccounted for after a devastating blaze at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an excruciating period of uncertainty for official news and pleading for clues about their children publicly.

The blaze devastated the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night 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 an extended period to identify the those who perished of the disaster, which resulted in the death of 40 people and hurt another scores more. A spokesperson said on Friday that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with efforts continuing to name the remaining few.

In the interim, families and friends have been posting on the internet to request any news about their loved ones who were present at the venue that night.

Desperate Searches for the Unaccounted For

The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.

The resident of a town near the city, informed a publication that she had returned to the city to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the same in the capital, but was unsuccessful.

"This is a living nightmare, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in a serious state. It's terrible," she said.

She added that some of his friends had been located with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they went through hell."

The Italian government has confirmed that six of its citizens remain missing.

Among them 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 dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "young athlete who represented dedication and authentic values."

His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An official spokesperson has indicated that a official announcement of his death is awaited.

Other Cases

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

"A companion told me they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he lost sight of him," she said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his educators commented, "I remember his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. Often ask if help out."

Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to sources.

Her sibling has posted an urgent request online, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are actively engaged with the case.