'Living a Nightmare': Loved Ones of Unaccounted For Teens Await News After Ski Resort Fire

Unaccounted teen photo
Teenage Swiss national a young man from Switzerland is among the missing.

The relatives of teens missing after a deadly inferno at a venue in a Swiss alpine town are confronting an excruciating wait for answers and requesting any details about their children via social media.

The blaze devastated the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of January 1st. Confirmed video show the ceiling igniting as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.

Emergency services have stated that it could take an extended period to identify the victims of the tragedy, which killed 40 people and injured another 119. Officials said on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been identified, with efforts ongoing to locate the final individuals.

In the waiting period, families and friends have been posting on the internet to request any news about their friends who were at the bar that fateful night.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are not yet determined, according to an appeal from his family.

The resident of Lutry near the city, told a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his father did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.

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

She explained that some of his peers had been located with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they endured a terrifying ordeal."

The Italy's government has said that a number of of its citizens are still unaccounted for.

Unaccounted teen portrait
Young athlete Emanuele Galeppini, 16, was last in contact around the turn of the new year on December 31st, according to.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage promising athlete, who hailed from Italy but now residing in Dubai.

The national sporting body has stated that he is deceased, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who carried with him passion and true sportsmanship."

His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An representative has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Additional Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also among the missing. His parent said that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with friends and found himself at the venue.

"Someone with him said they ran away after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable gold chain.

One of his educators stated, "He was known for his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. Often ask if help out."

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

Her sibling has shared an urgent request on social media, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.

Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the developments.

Shawn Thompson
Shawn Thompson

Elara is a tech enthusiast and travel writer, sharing insights from global adventures and digital innovations.