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

Unaccounted teen portrait
16-year-old Swiss teenager Arthur Brodard is listed as missing.

The families of teens lost after a deadly fire at a establishment in a Switzerland's winter destination are facing an painful wait for official news and pleading for information about their family members via social media.

The blaze devastated the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Verified video reveal the roof structure igniting as bottles with fireworks are raised in celebration.

Officials have warned that it could take an extended period to identify the victims of the disaster, which killed 40 people and wounded another over a hundred. A spokesperson stated on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been identified, with efforts still underway to identify the other six.

In the waiting period, loved ones have been posting on social media to plead for clues about their missing relatives who were present at the venue that evening.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are not yet determined, according to an public plea from his parent.

The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, informed a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but did not locate him.

"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she told the paper.

She continued that some of his peers had been discovered with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they endured an absolute nightmare."

The Italian government has confirmed that six of its nationals have not been located.

Unaccounted teen portrait
Young athlete Emanuele Galeppini, 16, was last in contact around midnight on New Year's Eve, according to.

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

The national sporting body has stated that he is deceased, without mentioning the tragedy, paying tribute to a "young athlete who embodied dedication and true sportsmanship."

His parent, told media that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An official spokesperson has stated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Additional Cases

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

"A companion told me they escaped after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his teachers said, "I've always been struck by his good nature and positive demeanor, combined with great maturity. Often offer to get me a coffee."

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

Her brother has published 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 actively engaged with the situation.

Kimberly Arellano
Kimberly Arellano

Lena is a travel writer and urban enthusiast with a passion for uncovering hidden gems in cities across the globe.