'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Families of Unaccounted For Young People Await Answers After Alpine Blaze

Unaccounted teen portrait
16-year-old Swiss teenager a young man from Switzerland is one of those unaccounted for.

The families of teenagers missing after a deadly inferno at a establishment in a Swiss alpine town are confronting an excruciating wait for official news and appealing for any details about their loved ones online.

The fire devastated the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Circulated footage show the ceiling igniting as bottles with fireworks are held aloft.

Emergency services have stated that it could take considerable time to formally name the those who perished of the fire, which claimed the lives of 40 people and hurt another over a hundred. Authorities noted on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been identified, with the process continuing to identify the other six.

In the meantime, loved ones have been taking to social media to appeal for any news about their missing relatives who were present at the venue that fateful night.

Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For

The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are not yet determined, according to an appeal from his parent.

The who lives of Lutry near Lausanne, explained to a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father did the same in Bern, but could not find him.

"I'm living a nightmare, a horror. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. Words cannot describe it," she stated.

She added that some of his friends had been discovered with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they went through a terrifying ordeal."

The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its young people have not been located.

Missing teen photo
Young athlete Emanuele Galeppini, 16, was last in contact around midnight on December 31st, according to.

One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, who hailed from Italy but now residing in the UAE.

The Italian Golf Federation has stated that he is dead, without mentioning the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who embodied dedication and authentic values."

His father, reportedly stated 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.

Further Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His mother told reporters that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and ended up at the bar.

"A companion informed me they escaped after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he lost sight of him," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his educators stated, "I remember his kindness and smile, coupled with great maturity. He would frequently ask if help out."

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

Her sibling has published an urgent request online, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are closely watching the situation.

Scott Johnson
Scott Johnson

A passionate hiker and travel writer sharing adventures from the Bologna Mountains and beyond.