A horrific fire that erupted in a popular bar at the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland in the early hours of New Year's Day has claimed at least 47 lives, with dozens more seriously injured. The first victim to be publicly identified is Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old up-and-coming Italian golfer.
Tributes Pour In for Promising Young Athlete
Galeppini, who was originally from Genoa and based in Dubai, was among the victims of the blaze at the Le Constellation bar. The tragedy occurred around 1:30 a.m. local time on January 1, 2026, while more than 100 people were still celebrating inside.
The young golfer, who had peaked at No. 2,440 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and won the Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open in April, is being mourned across the sports world. PGA star Tommy Fleetwood paid tribute on Instagram, writing, "Our thoughts are with the Galeppini family and all the families affected... Such a huge loss. Rest in peace, Emanuele."
The Italian Golf Federation also posted a heartfelt message, stating the organization "mourns the passing of Emanuele Galeppini, a young athlete who carried passion and authentic values with him." Galeppini was believed to be one of 16 Italians reported missing after the fire, with a dozen Italian nationals hospitalized.
Harrowing Escape from Basement Nightclub
Witness accounts paint a terrifying picture of the chaotic escape from the basement venue. One woman described a crowd surge as people frantically tried to flee up a narrow flight of stairs and through a single door. Another witness told French media he saw people smashing windows to escape the smoke and flames, with some suffering grave injuries.
"It was like a horror movie," the young man said, describing the scene from across the street where he saw about 20 people scrambling to safety. Panicked parents reportedly rushed to the scene in cars to search for their children.
Fire officials suggested the blaze likely triggered a flashover or backdraft, a violent ignition of combustible gases that would have filled the space rapidly. Swiss Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud stated officials have no suspect and have made no arrests, with a fire service member calling the incident an "accident." Authorities are working to identify all victims and notify next of kin.
A Resort in Mourning
Crans-Montana, a prestigious ski destination in the Alps about 40 kilometres northwest of Zermatt, is now a scene of profound grief. The resort, known for its sweeping vistas from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc, is typically bustling with European tourists during the holiday season.
This tragedy casts a long shadow over the new year, uniting the international community, especially Italy and the global golfing world, in sorrow for the lives cut short, most notably that of a talented young athlete with a promising future.
