🔗 Share this article

The loved ones of teens lost after a deadly fire at a bar in a Switzerland's alpine town are facing an agonising period of uncertainty for official news and requesting clues about their family members via social media.

The blaze engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Verified images show the ceiling being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.

Emergency services have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the fatalities of the tragedy, which killed 40 people and injured another scores more. A spokesperson noted on Friday that the majority of the injured have been identified, with efforts still underway to identify the other six.

In the interim, families and friends have been using social media to plead for clues about their missing relatives who were in attendance that fateful night.

Appeals for the Missing

The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are not yet determined, according to an public plea from his family.

The who lives of a town near the city, told a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the hospital, while his father did the same in the capital, but could not find him.

"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. Either I find 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 found with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "There are no words; they went through an absolute nightmare."

The Italian government has indicated that six of its nationals are still unaccounted for.

Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, who hailed from Italy but now residing in the UAE.

The Italian Golf Federation has stated that he is dead, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "talented young man who embodied passion and true sportsmanship."

His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has stated that a official announcement of his death is not yet.

Other Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise among the missing. His mother said that he had been on vacation but had gone out with friends and found himself at the venue.

"Someone with him informed me 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 distinctive gold chain.

One of his educators stated, "He was known for his kindness and positive demeanor, coupled with great responsibility. Every time offer to get me a coffee."

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

Her brother has shared an appeal online, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.

Officials from her other nation say they are actively engaged with the developments.