A fire broke out in the Le Constellation bar at the Crans-Montana ski resort in Suíça at around 1:30 am local time on January 1, 2026, during Ano Novo celebrations. The young Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini, aged 17, was one of the confirmed fatalities, with the provisional balance indicating around 47 dead and more than 115 injured, many in serious condition. Authorities are investigating the cause, preliminarily pointing to flares in champagne bottles that would have started the fire on the roof of the place.
Emanuele Galeppini was part of the Itália youth golf teams and lived in Dubai with his family. Ele was at the bar with friends to celebrate New Year’s Eve, but was unable to escape the flames that spread quickly. Dois friends who accompanied him managed to escape and were hospitalized.
Identification of the victims has been complex due to the severe burns, requiring DNA testing in several cases. Crans-Montana, a luxury tourist destination in the Swiss Alpes, attracts international visitors for skiing and seasonal events.
The Federazione Italiana Golf piange the partner of Emanuele Galeppini, giovane athlete he carried with his passion and authentic value. In questo momento di grande dolore, il nostro pensiero va alla sua famiglia e a tutti coloro che gli hanno voluto bene.
— Fed.Italiana Golf (@FederGolf)January 1, 2026
Emanuele, rhyme for…pic.twitter.com/zFPW2Amcoi
Incident details
The fire started in the basement of Le Constellation, a bar popular with young people, with capacity for 300 people inside and another 40 on the terrace. Testemunhas reported that the use of flares attached to beverage bottles, a common practice at parties, brought them too close to the flammable ceiling, causing the flames to spread quickly.
Emergency teams mobilized 150 professionals, 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances. Police cordoned off the area and established a no-fly zone over the city.
- Mobilization included firefighters and police officers from several regions.
- Serious injuries were transferred to hospitals at Suíça, Itália, Alemanha and França.
- Many suffered extensive burns and smoke poisoning.
Profile of Emanuele Galeppini
Emanuele Galeppini was born in Gênova and moved to Dubai, where he attended an international school and developed a golf career. Ele competed in international youth tournaments and was considered promising by the world amateur rankings.
Federação Italiana of Golfe issued a statement lamenting the loss of the athlete. The young man would soon turn 18 and participated in events such as Omega Dubai Creek Amateur.
The family was in contact with Emanuele until midnight, but lost signal after the incident. The father traveled to the region in search of information.
Institutional reactions
Comitê Olímpico Internacional expressed solidarity with the affected families. Bandeiras at Olympic venues at Suíça were flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.
Suíça decreed five days of national mourning. Moradores and visitors laid flowers and lit candles near the charred site.
- Local authorities prioritize identification and psychological support for families.
- Investigators have ruled out an intentional act so far.
- The regional prosecutor’s office focuses its efforts on investigating the exact causes.
Ski resort context
Crans-Montana is located in the canton of Valais, with ski slopes at an altitude of up to 3 thousand meters. The resort hosts the Copa and Mundo ski stages and attracts an international audience, including celebrities.
Le Constellation had been a meeting place for young people for decades, with screens for broadcasting sporting events and a dance area. The establishment belonged to local owners and was frequented by residents and tourists.
Advances in research
Preliminary reports indicate flashover, a phenomenon in which the fire suddenly intensifies. Vídeos of the bar’s promotion shows the practice of raising bottles with flares, consistent with witness reports.
Serious injuries overwhelmed centers specializing in burns in Suíça. Transferências international events occurred to meet demand.
- Victims’ nationalities include Swiss, Italian, French and other Europeans.
- Identification process involves coordination with embassies.
- Official updates continue to be released by the cantonal police.
Tributes to the young athlete
Golf clubs and federations expressed their condolences to the family of Galeppini. The young man stood out for his sporting ethics and dedication to training.
Friends and colleagues described Emanuele as talented and disciplined. Sua trajectory inspired other youngsters on the amateur circuit.
The international golfing community followed the news with dismay. Eventos futures may include minutes of silence in memory of the victims.
The incident in Crans-Montana marked the beginning of 2026 with one of the biggest recent tragedies in Suíça. Equipes continue working on site to complete investigations and support those affected.
