Italian teen golfer among 40 dead in bar fire at Swiss resort

AI-assisted summary
• A fire at a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Day resulted in at least 40 deaths and 115 injuries.
• Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini, 17, was the first victim identified from the blaze.
• The Italian Golf Federation and golfers Nick Faldo and Tommy Fleetwood paid tribute to the young athlete.
• Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire at the Crans-Montana resort.

Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini was confirmed among the victims of a fatal fire that broke out at a bar in a Swiss ski resort during the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The 17-year-old was the first victim identified from a tragic fire that killed at least 40 people at Switzerland's Crans-Montana ski resort. Authorities have confirmed that 115 people were injured in the blaze, with rescue teams and forensic investigators combing through the site to understand what caused the fire.

The Italian Golf Federation confirmed Galeppini's death in an Instagram post, writing that the sports 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 added. "Emanuele, you will forever remain in our hearts."

Galeppini, originally from Genoa before moving to the Middle East to further his career, won the Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open in April. He peaked at No. 2,440 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Nick Faldo wrote on X that Galeppini had won the 2025 Under 16 Faldo Junior Tour event earlier this year in Al Ain and was “an extremely gifted young man with a bright future. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those affected by the tragic events in Crans-Montana. Rest in Peace, Emanuele.”

Fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood echoed those sentiments on Instragram.

"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," Fleetwood posted.