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The families of young people missing after a tragic fire at a bar in a Swiss winter destination are confronting an agonising period of uncertainty for answers and pleading for any details about their children online.

The fire engulfed the a popular bar in Cans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of the first day of the year. Confirmed images show the ceiling catching alight as beverages with fireworks are raised in celebration.

Officials have indicated that it could take days if not weeks to identify the victims of the fire, which claimed the lives of 40 people and injured another 119. Authorities said on the latest update that 113 of the injured have been identified, with work continuing to name the remaining few.

In the interim, relatives have been using the internet to appeal for any news about their loved ones who were present at the venue that evening.

Desperate Searches for the Missing

The whereabouts of Swiss national Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an heartfelt request from his mother.

The resident of a town near the city, informed a local newspaper that she had gone back to Lausanne to see if he was in the hospital, while his other parent did the same in Bern, but did not locate him.

"It feels like a terrible dream, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the morgue, or I find him in critical condition. It's horrific," she said.

She explained that some of his companions had been located with injuries covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they endured hell."

The Italian government has said that six of its young people are still unaccounted for.

Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, who hailed from Genoa but now residing in the UAE.

The national sporting body has said that he is deceased, without mentioning the tragedy, paying tribute to a "young athlete who embodied passion and true sportsmanship."

His parent, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last in contact around midnight. An representative has stated that a official announcement of his death is awaited.

Further Missing Individuals

Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is also unaccounted for. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.

"A close friend informed me they fled 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 gold chain.

One of his teachers said, "He was known for his good nature and positive demeanor, combined with great responsibility. Every time offer to get me a coffee."

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

Her sibling has shared an appeal on social media, saying the relatives has had "no updates" regarding the 15-year-old or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.

Officials from her country of origin say they are continuing to monitor the situation.