'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Loved Ones of Missing Teens Desperately Seek Answers After Alpine Inferno

Unaccounted teen photo
Teenage Swiss teenager a young man from Switzerland is listed as missing.

The families of teens missing after a tragic inferno at a establishment in a Switzerland's alpine town are confronting an painful wait for answers and requesting any details about their children online.

The fire ripped through the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of January 1st. Verified footage depict the roof structure being engulfed in flames as bottles with sparklers are raised in celebration.

Emergency services have stated that it could take an extended period to identify the victims of the disaster, which killed 40 people and injured another 119. Authorities noted on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with the process ongoing to identify the other six.

In the interim, families and friends have been taking to the internet to appeal for information about their loved ones who were at the bar that fateful night.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are not yet determined, according to an heartfelt request from his family.

The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, explained to a local newspaper that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in the capital, but could not find him.

"It feels like a terrible dream, a horror. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," she said.

She continued that some of his friends had been found with burns covering nearly half their bodies. "It's indescribable; they went through an absolute nightmare."

The Italy's government has indicated that six of its nationals are still unaccounted for.

Missing teen portrait
Young athlete Emanuele Galeppini, sixteen, was last in contact around the turn of the new year on New Year's Eve, his father said.

Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, originally from Italy but now residing in Dubai.

The national sporting body has said that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "young athlete who embodied dedication and authentic values."

His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has stated that a official announcement of his death is still pending.

Additional Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is also unaccounted for. His mother said that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.

"Someone with him said they escaped after the fire started and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he couldn't see him anymore," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his educators stated, "I remember his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. Every time offer to help out."

Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives full-time in the country, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to sources.

Her brother has published an urgent request on social media, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Officials from her other nation say they are closely watching the situation.

Holly Brown
Holly Brown

A dedicated esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering major tournaments and gaming culture.