In what has become one of the most heartbreaking stories of the New Year’s holiday weekend, Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage Italian golf talent, has been publicly identified as the first confirmed victim of the devastating fire that tore through the Le Constellation bar at the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland.
The blaze, which erupted in the early hours of New Year’s Day, claimed the lives of around 40 people and left over 110 others injured, turning a festive celebration into one of Switzerland’s most tragic incidents in recent memory.
The Italian Golf Federation’s statement mourning Galeppini’s passing emphasized both his sporting potential and the personal qualities that made him beloved by teammates and coaches alike. “At this time of great sorrow, our thoughts go out to his family and all those who loved him,” the organization wrote, underlining the void his loss has left in the Italian golf community.
From Celebration to Catastrophe
Galeppini, just 17 years old, was described by the federation as an athlete whose passion for the sport and authenticity of character made him one of Italy’s most promising young talents. Born in Italy but residing in Dubai, he had already begun to make a name for himself across junior circuits and was celebrated for his competitive spirit and love for golf.
Galeppini had been in Crans-Montana with his family for New Year’s celebrations and went to Le Constellation with two friends on New Year’s Eve. Those friends survived and were hospitalized, but Galeppini was unable to escape the blaze.
Swiss authorities believe the fire was accidental. Preliminary findings suggest that sparkler candles or Bengal lights placed on top of champagne bottles ignited when brought too close to the ceiling, triggering a sudden and rapid spread of flames. The phenomenon known as flashover (where a fire intensifies and engulfs all combustible materials in a room) is believed to have played a key role in how quickly the blaze consumed the crowded bar.
Survivors’ accounts paint a harrowing picture of the moments that followed–a basement venue filling with smoke and fire in seconds, narrow stairways becoming congested with panicked partygoers, and desperate attempts to flee through limited exits. Hospitals across the region were overwhelmed with critically burned patients, and emergency services struggled to cope with the scale of the disaster.
According to The Independent, “Authorities, on Friday, said that 113 of 119 of the victims had been identified.” Many of the victims were in their teens to mid-20s.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the fire as “one of the worst tragedies our country has experienced,” postponing the nation’s New Year’s address and ordering a five-day period of mourning. Flags were flown at half-mast across federal buildings as Switzerland grappled with its collective grief.
Legacy of a Young Athlete
As a junior golfer who loved to golf, compete, and simply enjoy his youth, Galeppini’s early achievements–including a notable win at the Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open in 2025–hinted at a future that now can only be imagined in what-ifs.
Peers, coaches, and competitors have taken to social media and public statements to honor Galeppini’s memory, remembering a young man who pursued his sport with zeal and represented his country on international stages with pride.
“Our thoughts are with the Galeppini family and all the families affected by the Crans-Montana tragedy in Switzerland. Such a huge loss. Rest in peace, Emanuele,” Englishman Tommy Fleetwood said.
While authorities continue to investigate the tragic fire and nations extend condolences to affected families, Galeppini’s name will undoubtedly remain a poignant chapter in both Italian sports history.
Retired golfer Nick Faldo also posted on social media, stating, “Emanuele won the 2025 U16 Faldo Junior Tour event earlier this year in Al Ain and was an extremely gifted young man with a bright future. … Rest in Peace, Emanuele.”
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