'Enduring a Horrific Ordeal': Families of Unaccounted For Young People Await Answers After Ski Resort Inferno

Unaccounted teen photo
16-year-old Swiss teenager Arthur Brodard is among the missing.

The relatives of teenagers lost after a devastating inferno at a venue in a Switzerland's winter destination are enduring an agonising wait for answers and requesting any details about their loved ones via social media.

The blaze devastated the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the middle of the night of New Year's Day. Circulated images reveal the roof structure being engulfed in flames as beverages with fireworks are raised in celebration.

Emergency services have warned that it could take considerable time to formally name the those who perished of the disaster, which killed four dozen individuals and injured another over a hundred. Officials said on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been accounted for, with the process ongoing to identify the final individuals.

In the interim, relatives have been posting on social media to appeal for information about their friends who were present at the venue that evening.

Appeals for the Unaccounted For

The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are not yet determined, according to an heartfelt request from his family.

The resident of a town near Lausanne, told a local newspaper that she had returned to the city to see if he was in the hospital, while his father did the equivalent search in the capital, but was unsuccessful.

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

She continued that some of his peers had been discovered with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced hell."

The Italian foreign ministry has said that six of its citizens are still unaccounted for.

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

One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, originally from Italy but now residing in Dubai.

The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is deceased, without directly referencing the tragedy, honoring a "talented young man who carried with him dedication and true sportsmanship."

His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An representative has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is still pending.

Further Missing Individuals

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

"A close friend told me they fled after the fire erupted 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 commented, "I've always been struck by his good nature and smile, alongside great maturity. He would frequently offer to get me a coffee."

Alice Kallergis, who holds both Greek and Swiss nationality but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also present on that night, according to media.

Her sibling has shared an urgent request online, saying the family has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

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

Lori Williams
Lori Williams

A tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting.