🔗 Share this article

The families of young people missing after a devastating fire at a bar in a Switzerland's alpine town are confronting an excruciating wait for official news and pleading for clues about their children online.

The fire ripped through the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the early hours of January 1st. Circulated video reveal the roof structure being engulfed in flames as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.

Emergency services have indicated that it could take considerable time to formally name the those who perished of the fire, which claimed the lives of 40 people and wounded another scores more. Officials stated on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with efforts continuing to name the remaining few.

In the waiting period, loved ones have been using social media to request any news about their missing relatives who were in attendance that fateful night.

Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For

The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his family.

The resident of a town near the city, informed a publication that she had gone back to the city to check whether he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the equivalent search in the capital, but was unsuccessful.

"This is a living nightmare, a horror. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in a serious state. It's terrible," she said.

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

The Italian foreign ministry has said that six of its young people have not been located.

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

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

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

Further Missing Individuals

Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also among the missing. His mother explained that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the bar.

"A companion told 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 explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.

One of his teachers commented, "I remember his good nature and positive demeanor, alongside great maturity. Every time ask if help out."

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

Her brother has shared an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

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