The devastating New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, claimed 40 lives and injured over 110 people in the early hours of January 1, 2026, turning a night of celebration into one of Europe’s worst peacetime disasters. Among the victims was 16-year-old Emanuele Galeppini, an Italian golf prodigy widely regarded as one of his country’s brightest young talents. While the golf world mourns the loss of a promising athlete with a bright future, Emanuele’s family is grappling with profound grief compounded by unsettling questions about the exact circumstances of his death.
Emanuele, originally from Genoa and residing in Dubai with his family, was a standout in junior golf. He had recently won the Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open and triumphed in the 2025 U16 Faldo Junior Tour event in Al Ain. His achievements included multiple top-10 finishes in regional tournaments, and he peaked at No. 2,440 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Training at prestigious facilities like the Tommy Fleetwood Academy at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Emanuele was enrolled at the Swiss International School in Dubai, with plans to graduate in 2027 and pursue college golf opportunities in the United States. Coaches and peers described him as exceptionally gifted, passionate, and embodying genuine values both on and off the course.
The tragedy unfolded at Le Constellation, a popular venue in the upscale Swiss ski resort, where young people gathered for New Year’s festivities. The blaze erupted around 1:30 a.m., reportedly triggered by sparklers on champagne bottles igniting non-fire-retardant acoustic foam on the ceiling. Flames spread rapidly through the basement-level space, creating a deadly environment with thick smoke, limited exits, and panic among the crowd. Many victims, including teenagers, perished from smoke inhalation, burns, or being trapped in the chaos.
Emanuele was in Crans-Montana with family and had gone to the bar with friends that night. His parents last spoke to him around midnight. In the hours following the fire, they desperately searched hospitals in the region, hoping to find him among the injured. Initial identification efforts were slow, involving DNA testing, as many bodies were severely damaged. Emanuele was among the first Italian victims confirmed by the Italian Golf Federation on January 2, prompting widespread tributes. The federation mourned “a young athlete who carried passion and authentic values,” while golf figures like Nick Faldo and Tommy Fleetwood expressed condolences, calling him an “extremely gifted young man with a bright future.”
However, the family’s anguish intensified upon receiving Emanuele’s body for repatriation. Contrary to expectations in such an intense inferno—one that melted metals and left many victims unrecognizable—Emanuele’s body appeared remarkably intact. There were no visible signs of burns; his hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes remained untouched by flames. Even personal items like his mobile phone and wallet were undamaged, with only his shoes showing traces of ash. These observations have raised haunting doubts: Was Emanuele even inside the main fire zone when he died? Could he have escaped the basement but succumbed elsewhere—perhaps outside, or from toxic smoke inhalation without direct flame exposure?
The parents, supported by Genoa-based lawyer Alessandro Vaccaro, have voiced deep frustration over the lack of clarity. They immediately requested information on the precise location where Emanuele’s body was found—inside the bar, on the stairs, or outside—and demanded an autopsy to determine the true cause of death. Swiss authorities reportedly declined the autopsy, stating that the cause was evident given the fire context, and deemed further examination unnecessary. No detailed medical report or official explanation was provided, despite repeated inquiries. This refusal has left the family in limbo, unable to fully understand how their son perished.
The six Italian victims, including Emanuele, were repatriated without autopsies performed in Switzerland, prompting criticism and calls for transparency. The family’s lawyer has highlighted the emotional toll: the initial hope from DNA testing, followed by the shock of an intact body, and now the absence of forensic answers. They seek to know whether Emanuele died from smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning, or another factor unrelated to direct burning. The lawyer emphasized that while toxic fumes are a likely cause in many cases, the pristine condition of the body and belongings warrants deeper investigation to rule out other possibilities.
Emanuele’s funeral took place privately on January 8 in Genoa’s Boccadasse neighborhood, near the sea, in a small church filled with tributes from family, friends, golf clubs, and the Genoa football team he supported. Flowers, messages, and drawings covered the condolence book, reflecting the community’s love for the young athlete. The ceremony was kept low-profile at the family’s request, allowing quiet reflection amid the ongoing pain.
The broader investigation into the fire continues, focusing on potential negligence by the bar’s owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti. Swiss prosecutors probe manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson by negligence, examining safety violations like inadequate exits, non-compliant materials, and skipped inspections. The owners have been detained or restricted, with admissions about locked doors and self-installed foam adding to the scrutiny.
For Emanuele’s parents, the fight is personal. Their quest for truth—demanding answers about their son’s final moments—highlights the human cost of such tragedies. In a disaster that stole so many young lives, the mystery surrounding one victim’s death underscores the need for thorough accountability. As the golf community remembers Emanuele’s talent and spirit, his family presses on, seeking justice and closure in the shadow of unimaginable loss.
