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The relatives of young people unaccounted for after a tragic blaze at a bar in a Swiss ski resort are enduring an agonising period of uncertainty for official news and pleading for clues about their family members via social media.

The inferno ripped through the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the mountains of south-west Switzerland, in the early hours of the first day of the year. Verified footage show the ceiling being engulfed in flames as beverages with fireworks are held aloft.

Authorities have stated that it could take days if not weeks to formally name the those who perished of the tragedy, which killed 40 people and wounded another scores more. A spokesperson noted on Friday that 113 of the those hurt have been accounted for, with the process continuing to identify the remaining few.

In the waiting period, families and friends have been using social media to plead for information about their loved ones who were at the bar that evening.

Appeals for the Missing

The fate of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are not yet determined, according to an appeal from his family.

The resident of Lutry near Lausanne, informed 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 Bern, but did not locate him.

"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 continued that some of his friends had been located with injuries covering nearly half their bodies. "It's unspeakable; they went through an absolute nightmare."

The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its nationals remain missing.

One of those is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, who hailed from Italy but now living in the UAE.

The Italian Golf Federation has said that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the fire, honoring a "young athlete who represented dedication and true sportsmanship."

His father, told media that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around the new year. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is awaited.

Further Cases

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

"A close friend said they escaped after the fire erupted and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she recounted, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his educators said, "I've always been struck by his kindness and smile, alongside great maturity. Every time offer to get me a coffee."

Alice Kallergis, who holds dual Greek and Swiss citizenship but lives permanently in the country, was also present 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 three friends she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Officials from her country of origin say they are closely watching the developments.