'Trapped in a Dreadful Dream': Loved Ones of Missing Teenagers Await Answers After Ski Resort Inferno

Unaccounted teen portrait
Teenage Swiss national a young man from Switzerland is among the missing.

The relatives of young people missing after a deadly blaze at a venue in a Swiss alpine town are confronting an painful wait for official news and pleading for any details about their family members via social media.

The fire devastated the Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of January 1st. Circulated video depict the roof structure catching alight as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.

Authorities have warned that it could take an extended period to formally name the fatalities of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of 40 people and hurt another scores more. Authorities noted on Friday that 113 of the injured have been identified, with efforts continuing to identify the remaining few.

In the interim, relatives have been using online platforms to plead for any news about their friends who were present at the venue that evening.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his parent.

The who lives of Lutry near the city, explained to a publication that she had returned to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but was unsuccessful.

"It feels like a terrible dream, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in a serious state. It's horrific," she told the paper.

She explained that some of his friends had been discovered with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "There are no words; they experienced hell."

The Italian foreign ministry has indicated that a number of of its nationals are still unaccounted for.

Unaccounted teen portrait
Teenage sportsman Emanuele Galeppini, 16, was last in contact around the turn of the new year on New Year's Eve, according to.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old promising athlete, originally from Italy but now living in Dubai.

The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is deceased, without mentioning the fire, honoring a "talented young man who represented passion and true sportsmanship."

His father, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around the new year. An representative has indicated that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Further Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His mother told reporters that he had been on holiday but had gone out with friends and found himself at the venue.

"A close friend said they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she explained, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his educators commented, "I've always been struck by his good nature and smile, combined with great responsibility. Every time offer to help out."

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

Her sibling has posted an urgent request online, saying the relatives has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also reported missing.

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

Alyssa Silva
Alyssa Silva

Elara is an experienced editor and novelist passionate about helping new writers find their voice and navigate the publishing world.