'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Missing Teens Await News After Alpine Fire

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

The families of young people missing after a devastating inferno at a establishment in a Swiss alpine town are enduring an excruciating period of uncertainty for answers and requesting clues about their children online.

The inferno engulfed the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of the first day of the year. Circulated footage reveal the roof structure igniting as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.

Emergency services have warned that it could take an extended period to formally name the fatalities of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of four dozen individuals and injured another over a hundred. A spokesperson said on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been identified, with work continuing to name the other six.

In the interim, loved ones have been taking to social media to plead for clues about their missing relatives who were present at the venue that fateful night.

Heartbreaking Pleas for the Missing

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

The who lives of Lutry near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.

"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she said.

She added that some of his companions had been discovered with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they endured a terrifying ordeal."

The Italian foreign ministry has said that a number of of its young people remain missing.

Unaccounted teen photo
Junior golfer Emanuele Galeppini, sixteen, was last heard from around the turn of the new year on December 31st, as stated by.

Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage sportsman, who hailed from Genoa but now living in Dubai.

The national sporting body has stated that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who embodied passion and true sportsmanship."

His father, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Other Missing Individuals

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise among the missing. His parent told reporters that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with friends and found himself at the bar.

"A close friend informed me they fled after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he they were separated," she said, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his teachers said, "I remember his kindness and smile, combined with great responsibility. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."

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

Her sibling has shared an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no information" 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 closely watching the developments.

Katie James
Katie James

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