'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Young People Desperately Seek Information After Ski Resort Blaze

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

The loved ones of young people unaccounted for after a tragic fire at a bar in a Switzerland's ski resort are confronting an agonising wait for confirmed information and pleading for information about their loved ones via social media.

The blaze devastated the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of January 1st. Verified footage show the roof structure being engulfed in flames as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.

Authorities have stated that it could take considerable time to identify the fatalities of the disaster, which claimed the lives of four dozen individuals and injured another 119. Authorities noted on Friday that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with efforts still underway to identify the other six.

In the meantime, families and friends have been posting on social media to plead for any news about their missing relatives who were present at the venue that fateful night.

Appeals for the Unaccounted For

The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an appeal from his family.

The who lives of Lutry near Lausanne, explained to a publication that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, 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 told the paper.

She continued that some of his companions had been located with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."

The Italy's government has confirmed that six of its young people have not been located.

Missing teen portrait
Junior golfer Emanuele Galeppini, 16, was last heard from around the turn of the new year on New Year's Eve, his father said.

Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old promising athlete, originally from Genoa but now living in the UAE.

The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "talented young man who carried with him dedication and authentic values."

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

Additional Missing Individuals

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

"Someone with him said they ran away after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his educators stated, "He was known for his good nature and positive demeanor, combined with great maturity. Often ask if help out."

Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives full-time in the country, was also at the bar on New Year's Eve, according to media.

Her brother has shared an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Officials from her other nation say they are continuing to monitor the situation.

Jamie Gonzalez
Jamie Gonzalez

A skilled artisan and writer blending woodcraft with narrative arts to inspire creativity in everyday life.