'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teenagers Await Answers After Alpine Fire

Unaccounted teen portrait
Teenage Swiss teenager a young man from Switzerland is one of those unaccounted for.

The loved ones of young people lost after a deadly inferno at a venue in a Swiss ski resort are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for clues about their loved ones via social media.

The fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of New Year's Day. Verified video reveal the roof structure catching alight as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.

Emergency services have warned that it could take days if not weeks to identify the fatalities of the fire, which resulted in the death of 40 people and injured another 119. Officials said on the latest update that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with the process ongoing to identify the final individuals.

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

Desperate Searches for the Missing

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

The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, told a publication that she had returned to the city to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in the capital, but could not find him.

"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she told the paper.

She explained that some of his peers had been discovered with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through hell."

The Italian government has said that a number of of its citizens remain missing.

Unaccounted teen portrait
Young athlete Emanuele Galeppini, 16, was last heard from around midnight on December 31st, his father said.

Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, originally from Italy but now living in the UAE.

The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the fire, honoring a "young athlete who embodied dedication and authentic values."

His father, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An representative has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.

Additional Missing Individuals

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother explained that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and ended up at the venue.

"A close friend said they ran away after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he they were separated," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his educators commented, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, coupled with great maturity. Often offer to get me a coffee."

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

Her brother has posted an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.

Consular authorities from her other nation say they are closely watching the case.

James Horton
James Horton

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