'Living a Nightmare': Families of Unaccounted For Young People Await Answers After Alpine Inferno

Missing teen portrait
Teenage Swiss national Arthur Brodard is among the missing.

The relatives of teens lost after a devastating blaze at a venue in a Swiss alpine town are facing an excruciating wait for official news and pleading for information about their children online.

The inferno engulfed the Le Constellation bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Confirmed images reveal the roof structure being engulfed in flames as beverages with sparklers are raised in celebration.

Authorities have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the victims of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of numerous partygoers and wounded another scores more. Officials noted on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been identified, with work continuing to identify the final individuals.

In the waiting period, loved ones have been using the internet to appeal for information about their loved ones who were in attendance that evening.

Heartbreaking Pleas for the Unaccounted For

The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, sixteen, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his mother.

The resident of a town near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father did the equivalent search in Bern, but was unsuccessful.

"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she told the paper.

She added that some of his peers had been discovered with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they endured a terrifying ordeal."

The Italian government has confirmed that a number of of its nationals are still unaccounted for.

Unaccounted teen portrait
Junior golfer Emanuele Galeppini, sixteen, was last in contact around the turn of the new year on December 31st, his father said.

One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage junior golfer, originally from Genoa but now living in the UAE.

The national sporting body has said that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the fire, paying tribute to a "talented young man who carried with him dedication and authentic values."

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

Further Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, sixteen, is likewise among the missing. His mother said that he had been on vacation but had gone out with a group and found himself at the bar.

"Someone with him said they fled after the fire broke out and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he they were separated," she said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.

One of his teachers said, "I've always been struck by his kindness and positive demeanor, combined with great responsibility. Often offer to get me a coffee."

Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives full-time in Switzerland, was also at the bar on that night, according to media.

Her brother has posted an appeal 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 country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the situation.

Jeremiah Brown
Jeremiah Brown

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and startup ecosystems across Europe.