The tragedy that occurred on New Year's Eve in Crans-Montana continues to shock Europe. Among the forty or so people who died in the fire at the La Constellation bar, authorities have identified Emanuele Galeppini, a young Italian golfer aged 16. The information was confirmed by the Italian Golf Federation, which paid tribute to the memory of a "passionate athlete" and offered its condolences to his family.
The teenager, who was in the Swiss resort for the holidays, was on the list of missing persons published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His father had issued an appeal for witnesses after losing all contact with him shortly after midnight. Two friends who were with him survived and were hospitalized after escaping the flames.
Born in Genoa and living with his family in Dubai, Emanuele Galeppini was considered one of the most promising young talents in Italian amateur golf. He notably distinguished himself last April by winning the Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open and regularly participated in international competitions in the Middle East and Europe. A photo of him alongside Rory McIlroy testified to his already remarkable career in the field.
While the investigation continues to determine the exact cause of the fire, the human toll remains very high, with over a hundred injured, several of them critically. The gradual identification of the victims has plunged many families into mourning and heightened the emotion surrounding this tragedy, which occurred in the midst of New Year's celebrations.
