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The relatives of young people unaccounted for after a tragic fire at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are confronting an excruciating wait for official news and pleading for clues about their children via social media.

The fire engulfed the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of south-west Switzerland, in the small hours of New Year's Day. Confirmed video show the ceiling catching alight as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.

Emergency services have warned that it could take days if not weeks to identify the fatalities of the disaster, which claimed the lives of 40 people and wounded another scores more. Officials said on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been accounted for, with efforts still underway to name the remaining few.

In the meantime, relatives have been taking to social media to request information about their loved ones who were in attendance that evening.

Appeals for the Unaccounted For

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

The who lives of a town near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had returned to Lausanne to check whether he was in the hospital, while his father did the same in Bern, but was unsuccessful.

"I'm living a nightmare, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's horrific," 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 experienced an absolute nightmare."

The Italian foreign ministry has confirmed that a number of of its young people have not been located.

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

The national sporting body has stated that he is no longer with us, without mentioning the tragedy, paying tribute to a "talented young man who embodied passion and true sportsmanship."

His parent, is quoted as saying that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An official spokesperson has clarified that a formal confirmation of his death is not yet.

Additional Missing Individuals

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise unaccounted for. His parent said that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.

"A companion said they ran away after the fire erupted and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a specific moment he they were separated," she explained, adding he had been wearing a distinctive piece of jewelry.

One of his teachers commented, "He was known for his kindness and positive demeanor, alongside great responsibility. Often ask if get me a coffee."

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

Her sibling has shared an appeal online, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the teenager or the three friends she was with, who are also reported missing.

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