🔗 Share this article

The families of teenagers unaccounted for after a tragic fire at a establishment in a Switzerland's ski resort are confronting an agonising period of uncertainty for official news and requesting any details about their loved ones publicly.

The fire engulfed the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the early hours of January 1st. Confirmed images reveal the ceiling catching alight as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.

Authorities have indicated that it could take considerable time to identify the victims of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and wounded another over a hundred. Officials said on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been identified, with efforts continuing to identify the remaining few.

In the interim, loved ones have been posting on online platforms to plead for any news about their missing relatives who were in attendance that fateful night.

Heartbreaking Pleas for the Missing

The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his parent.

The resident of a town near the city, informed 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 Bern, but was unsuccessful.

"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. Words cannot describe it," she told the paper.

She continued that some of his companions had been discovered with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they went through hell."

The Italy's foreign ministry has said that six of its citizens are still unaccounted for.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, originally from Genoa but now residing in Dubai.

The national sporting body has released a tribute that he is dead, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values."

His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has indicated that a official announcement of his death is awaited.

Further Cases

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

"A close friend said they fled after the fire broke out and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his educators said, "I've always been struck by his kindness and positive demeanor, coupled with great responsibility. Often offer to 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 published an urgent request online, saying the family 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 actively engaged with the situation.