Italian golfer first named victim of deadly Swiss bar fire

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At least 47 people are dead and dozens others seriously injured in the New Year’s Day blaze

Published Jan 02, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read

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Golfer Emanuele Galeppini, 17, first victim identified in bar fire in Switzerland resort. Photo by Emanuele Galeppini /InstagramArticle content

The first victim identified in the deadly bar fire that killed dozens of people at Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland is up-and-coming Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini.

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The 17-year-old was among the at least 40 victims of the fire that broke out at a resort bar during the early hours of New Year’s Day.

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Tributes pour in for teen golfer

Tributes from across the sporting world have flooded social media, including from PGA star and fellow Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood.

“Our thoughts are with the Galeppini family and all the families affected by the Crans-Montana tragedy in Switzerland,” the Ryder Cup star wrote on Instagram. “Such a huge loss. Rest in peace, Emanuele.”

The Italian Golf Federation paid tribute to the Dubai-based golfer in an Instagram post, writing that the organization “mourns the passing of Emanuele Galeppini, a young athlete who carried passion and authentic values with him.”

“At this time of great sorrow, our thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him,” the translated post read. “Emanuele, you will forever remain in our hearts.”

A black-and-white photo of Galeppini accompanied the message with the words, “Ciao Emanuele,” which translates to “Goodbye Emanuele.”

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Galeppini, who was originally from Genoa before moving to the Middle East, peaked at No. 2,440 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

He won the Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open in April, and also competed in the King Hamad Trophy in Bahrain and the UAE Cup in Al Ain.

Galeppini was believed to be one of 16 Italians reported missing, while a dozen Italian nationals were being treated in hospital, according to Italian news agency Ansa.

Harrowing witness accounts

The fire broke out at 1:30 a.m. local time at the resort’s Le Constellation bar, where more than 100 people were still celebrating New Year’s, according to police.

The total number of victims has risen to 47, Sky News reported, citing the Italian foreign ministry.

Authorities are working to identify the victims and notify next of kin.

One of the women described a crowd surge as people frantically tried to escape from the basement nightclub up a narrow flight of stairs and through a narrow door.

Another witness speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV described people smashing windows to escape the blaze, some gravely injured, and panicked parents rushing to the scene in cars to see whether their children were trapped inside.

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The young man said he saw about 20 people scrambling to get out of the smoke and flames and likened what he saw to a horror movie as he watched from across the street.

Officials described how the blaze likely triggered the release of combustible gases that ignited violently and caused what English-speaking firefighters call a flashover or backdraft.

Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said officials did not have a suspect and have not made any arrests, RTL reported, while a member of a fire service called the fire an “accident.”

Crans-Montana sits high in the heart of the Alps, about 40 km northwest of Zermatt, with sweeping vistas stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.

The resort town is considered one of the top ski destinations in the world and is popular with European tourists.

—Additional reporting by Ling Hui

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