Teenage golfer among victims of fatal Swiss resort fire on New Year’s Eve

Italian teenage golfer Emanuele Galeppini has been named as the first victim of a deadly bar fire in a Swiss ski resort.

The 17-year-old was one of at least 47 people who were killed after a blaze broke out during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Crans-Montana, Valais.

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A further 115 people were left injured, and the Italian Golf Federation have since announced that Galeppini was among those to lose their life in the tragedy.

Originally from Genoa, the youngster was regarded as a promising young talent, who competed across Dubai and the Middle East.

Confirming the news on social media, a statement read: “The Italian Golf Federation mourns the passing of Emanuele Galeppini, a young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values.

“In this time of great sorrow, our thoughts go out to his family and all those who loved him.

“Emanuele, you will forever remain in our hearts.”

‘Promising young talent’

Galeppini is described on the Golf Amateur Golf Ranking website as as an Italian junior golfer who ‘loves to golf, compete and eat’.

It also states that the 17-year-old represented the Italian national team, while according to Golf Digest he has been living in Dubai in recent years.

The page says Galeppini was “widely regarded as a promising young talent”.

In 2025, he competed in competitions in UAE, Bahrain, Italy and England, and tasted victory at the 2025 Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open last April.

He had also recently featured in the King Hamad Trophy at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain and the UAE Cup in Al Ain.

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On his Instagram page, Galeppini is pictured with Rory McIlroy, which is captioned ‘Pic of the year’.

Galeppini had been attending a party at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, when the deadly fire broke out an hour around an hour after midnight on New Years Eve.

The teenager was among the 13 missing Italians on a list released by the country’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

His father had appealed for help to find his son, saying: “Around 1.30am we learned of the explosion.

“We went up there in front of the restaurant but we haven’t found him yet. He hasn’t answered the phone since last night.”

Emanuele’s two friends, who had accompanied him to the nightclub, were reportedly tracked down by their parents in nearby hospitals but had no information about the young golfer.

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The rest of the victims’ identities have not yet been released, and authorities say this could take days due to the severity of their burns.

According to reports, those caught up in the tragedy were ‘screaming and running’ for their lives, with the inferno tearing through the venue and burning many people trapped inside.

Survivors as young as 15 have been taken to hospitals in Switzerland, and abroad to France, Germany, Italy and Belgium.

Ligue 1 footballer caught up in Swiss tragedy

It has also been revealed that Metz player Tahirys Dos Santos was among those injured in the resort fire.

The Ligue 1 side confirmed the news, where they disclosed that the 19-year-old had been airlifted to hospital as a result.

A club statement read: “FC Metz is deeply saddened to announce that Tahirys Dos Santos, a youth player for the club originally from Mont-Saint-Martin, was injured in the fire that occurred in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Eve.

FC Metz

“Severely burned, the 19-year-old was airlifted to Germany, where he is currently receiving treatment.

“Deeply affected by this news, the club’s management, players, coaches, and staff are in shock and extend their heartfelt condolences to Tahirys during this difficult time as he battles his illness.

“The club also wishes to offer its full support to his family and is working with medical authorities to arrange for Tahirys’ transfer to Mercy Hospital, near his home.

“Updates on Tahirys’ condition will be provided should there be any significant changes. In the meantime, FC Metz asks everyone to respect the privacy of Tahirys and his family.”

Dos Santos was initially treated in Sion, Switzerland, before being transferred to a hospital in Stuttgart.

His agent Christophe Hutteau revealed on Thursday night that doctors had decided against putting the teenager on a ventilator.

Hutteau told French publication RMC Sport: “The big positive is that, contrary to what the doctors had anticipated this morning, he wasn’t put on a ventilator, so he has regained enough lung capacity to avoid needing life support.

“It’s far too early to make any kind of diagnosis. Given that he’s been transferred to a burns unit, you can imagine the physical condition Tahirys is unfortunately in.”

Dos Santos has been a regular in Metz’ B team this season, making 10 appearances this term, and was named in the first team’s matchday squad for the first time against ASC Biesheim, in their last match before France’s winter break