'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Unaccounted For Teenagers Await Information After Alpine Fire

The families of teenagers unaccounted for after a tragic fire at a establishment in a Switzerland's ski resort are enduring an agonising wait for official news and pleading for any details about their family members publicly.

The blaze ripped through the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Circulated footage show the roof structure catching alight as bottles with sparklers are held aloft.

Emergency services have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the victims of the tragedy, which killed numerous partygoers and injured another scores more. A spokesperson said on Friday that the majority of the those hurt have been identified, with work ongoing to identify the remaining few.

In the meantime, families and friends have been taking to online platforms to appeal for clues about their friends who were present at the venue that night.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

The location of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an heartfelt request from his parent.

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

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

She added that some of his peers had been located with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through an absolute nightmare."

The Italy's government has said that a number of of its nationals are still unaccounted for.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now living in Dubai.

The national sporting body has said that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who represented passion and true sportsmanship."

His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An representative has clarified that a official announcement of his death is not yet.

Further Cases

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

"Someone with him informed me they escaped after the fire started 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 identifiable gold chain.

One of his teachers stated, "He was known for his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. Often ask if help out."

Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to sources.

Her brother has shared an appeal online, saying the family has had "no information" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Officials from her country of origin say they are actively engaged with the case.