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The families of young people lost after a tragic inferno at a bar in a Swiss ski resort are facing an excruciating wait for confirmed information and appealing for information about their children publicly.

The fire engulfed the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Confirmed footage show the roof structure being engulfed in flames as bottles with fireworks are held aloft.

Officials have warned that it could take days if not weeks to identify the fatalities of the disaster, which resulted in the death of 40 people and wounded another 119. Officials said on the latest update that the majority of the injured have been accounted for, with the process ongoing to locate the remaining few.

In the meantime, loved ones have been using social media to appeal for information about their friends who were present at the venue that night.

Appeals for the Missing

The fate of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, a teenager, are still unconfirmed, according to an public plea from his mother.

The who lives of a town near Lausanne, informed a publication that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the medical facility, while his father did the equivalent search in the capital, but did not locate him.

"I'm living a nightmare, a nightmare. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in intensive care. Words cannot describe it," she told the paper.

She explained that some of his friends had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced a terrifying ordeal."

The Italian foreign ministry has said that a number of of its young people are still unaccounted for.

Among them is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old sportsman, who hailed from Italy but now living in Dubai.

The national sporting body has stated that he is dead, without directly referencing the fire, honoring a "young athlete who embodied dedication and true sportsmanship."

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

Other Cases

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His mother told reporters that he had been on vacation but had ventured out with a group and ended up at the venue.

"Someone with him said they ran away after the fire started and that he had his mobile with him, but then at a certain point he they were separated," she explained, adding he had been wearing a identifiable piece of jewelry.

One of his educators said, "He was known for his kindness and smile, alongside great responsibility. He would frequently offer to help out."

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

Her brother has published an appeal online, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the 15-year-old 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.