Italian Teen Golfer Named First Victim in Deadly Crans-Montana Fire
Emanuele Galeppini, 17, is the first publicly identified victim as Europe mourns one of Switzerland’s deadliest nightclub fires
Crans-Montana, January 2 EST: It was the kind of confirmation families dread. Short. Final. Impossible to misread. Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old Italian golfer, has been identified as the first known victim of the New Year’s Eve fire that tore through a crowded bar in Crans-Montana, killing at least 47 people and injuring more than 115 others. The news was confirmed on Thursday by the Italian Golf Federation, which announced his death in a brief Instagram post.
They described him as a young athlete who carried “passion and authentic values.” The words were careful. Restrained. The kind organizations use when grief is still too raw to shape into something larger.
For now, Galeppini is the only victim whose name has been made public. That alone has given his death an added weight, one his family never asked for.
He had traveled to Switzerland with friends to ring in the new year. Ski resorts across the Alps draw thousands of young people every December, and Crans-Montana is no exception. After midnight, many of them ended up at Le Constellation, a popular nightlife spot near the resort center.
What happened next unfolded quickly and without warning.
Inside The Fire
According to investigators and multiple survivor accounts, the fire broke out in the early hours of January 1, when the bar was packed with hundreds of people. Music was playing. The countdown had already passed. Some didn’t notice anything wrong until smoke began creeping across the ceiling.
By the time flames appeared, panic had already taken hold.
Witnesses told Reuters that people rushed toward a narrow exit, creating a crush near the door. Several fell. Others were pushed on top of them. In the confusion, many couldn’t breathe.
“We all saw really horrible things that no one should ever have to see,” said Laetitia Place, 17, in remarks reported by Reuters. She described people piled together near the exit, some burning, others already motionless.
Firefighters arriving minutes later encountered scenes more often associated with stadium disasters than a holiday bar. Many victims were unconscious from smoke inhalation. Others suffered severe burns. Several were pronounced dead at the scene.
Numbers Still Moving
Authorities initially reported around 40 fatalities. That figure has continued to rise.
As of Thursday, Swiss officials said at least 47 people are confirmed dead. Hospital officials cited by Deutsche Welle and BBC News warned that the toll could still increase, with dozens of patients in critical condition.
Between 80 and 100 people remain seriously injured, many with extensive burns or lung damage caused by smoke inhalation. Doctors say those injuries can worsen suddenly, even days after exposure.
Five victims have not yet been formally identified. Authorities say the condition of some bodies has complicated forensic work, slowing a process families across Europe are anxiously waiting on.
Italy has been among the countries most affected. The Italian foreign ministry confirmed that 13 Italian citizens are among the injured, while at least six Italians remain unaccounted for.
Galeppini is the first of them to be named.
A Life Interrupted
Back home, Galeppini was known as steady rather than showy. According to reporting by People magazine and statements from the Italian Golf Federation, he competed on the junior circuit and trained with long-term goals in mind.
Golf was work. Repetition. Quiet progress.
Those who coached him spoke about discipline more than talent. Early mornings. Long days. The kind of routine that rarely makes headlines.
That future ended inside a bar most people had never heard of until this week.
Tributes from fellow players and local clubs in Italy have begun to surface, many of them understated. No grand claims. Just shock, and a lot of disbelief.
Aftermath And Questions
Switzerland has declared five days of national mourning. Flags have been lowered nationwide. In Crans-Montana, the après-ski crowds have disappeared, replaced by candlelight vigils and handwritten notes taped to railings.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin called the fire “a drama of unknown scale,” according to statements carried by European media. A criminal investigation is now underway, focusing on safety compliance, occupancy limits, and the speed of the emergency response.
The bar remains sealed. Police stand watch as forensic teams work inside.
The tragedy has also reignited scrutiny of nightlife safety at Alpine resorts during peak season. Witnesses interviewed by NPR described extreme crowding inside the venue even before the fire began.
For now, officials are urging patience. Families are asking for answers.
Back in Italy, plans are underway to honor Galeppini’s memory. The Italian Golf Federation said it will pay tribute in the coming weeks.
For his parents, his friends, and dozens of others still waiting for word, the new year has arrived without celebration. And for a town built around winter escape, the silence has been heavy and hard to shake.
New Jersey Times Is Your Source: The Latest In Politics, Entertainment, Business, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, And Twitter To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Do Checkout Our Telegram Channel @Njtdotcom For Latest Updates.
A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.
