Authorities in Switzerland have warned that identifying victims of the devastating New Year’s Day fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana could require weeks of forensic work, leaving families in agonizing uncertainty. The blaze, which erupted during celebrations in the early hours of January 1st, resulted in 40 fatalities and 119 injuries, with officials confirming Friday that 113 injured persons have been identified while six remain unnamed.
Amid the bureaucratic delays, desperate families have turned to social media to seek information about missing loved ones. The tragedy has particularly affected teenagers and young adults who were celebrating at the popular Alpine resort bar when the fire broke out. Verified footage shows the establishment’s ceiling catching fire as revelers held sparkler-adorned bottles aloft.
Among the missing is 16-year-old Arthur Brodard from Lutry, whose mother Laetitia described her ordeal as a “nightmare” to local newspaper Le Temps. “Either I find my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. It’s terrible,” she stated, revealing that some of Arthur’s friends were found with burns covering nearly half their bodies.
The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed six citizens remain unaccounted for, including 16-year-old junior golfer Emanuele Galeppini, originally from Genoa but residing in Dubai. While the Italian Golf Federation has prematurely announced his death in a tribute, authorities have not yet confirmed this information. His father Edoardo reported last contact around midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Another missing Italian national, 16-year-old Giovanni Tamburi from Bologna, was vacationing with his father but had gone out with friends. His mother Carla Masiello recounted to La Repubblica that a friend reported fleeing the fire together before losing sight of Giovanni, who was wearing a distinctive gold chain with a small Madonna pendant.
The tragedy also affects 15-year-old Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek-Swiss citizenship. Her brother has launched an Instagram appeal, noting the family has received “no news” regarding Alice or her three missing friends. Greek consular authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the international community rallies around affected families awaiting definitive answers.