'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Young People Await Information After Alpine Inferno

Unaccounted teen photo
Teenage Swiss teenager Arthur Brodard is listed as missing.

The loved ones of teenagers missing after a devastating blaze at a venue in a Switzerland's alpine town are enduring an excruciating wait for official news and appealing for clues about their loved ones publicly.

The fire devastated the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Confirmed video depict the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.

Authorities have stated that it could take an extended period to identify the victims of the disaster, which resulted in the death of four dozen individuals and hurt another 119. Officials stated on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been identified, with efforts still underway to locate the other six.

In the waiting period, families and friends have been posting on social media to plead for any news about their friends who were in attendance that night.

Appeals for the Unaccounted For

The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his mother.

The who lives of Lutry near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the equivalent search in the capital, but did not locate him.

"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. Words cannot describe it," she said.

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

The Italian government has confirmed that a number of of its nationals are still unaccounted for.

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

Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, who hailed from Italy but now living in the UAE.

The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is deceased, without mentioning the fire, honoring a "young athlete who carried with him dedication and true sportsmanship."

His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Other Cases

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

"A close friend told me they fled after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he lost sight of him," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his educators stated, "He was known for his kindness and positive demeanor, alongside great responsibility. Every time offer to get me a coffee."

Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives full-time in the country, was also present on that night, according to reports.

Her sibling has posted an appeal online, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

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

Jasmine Johnson
Jasmine Johnson

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