The remains of Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old Italian student and promising golfer residing in Dubai, were repatriated to Italy with full military honors on Monday. Galeppini was among the 40 victims of a catastrophic New Year’s Eve fire that erupted at a popular bar in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.
The tragic incident occurred during a celebratory event when an explosion, potentially ignited by sparkler candles placed on bottles too close to the ceiling, triggered a devastating flashover. This phenomenon caused the fire to engulf the entire enclosed space within seconds, resulting in significant casualties. Swiss authorities confirmed that all victims and 116 injured individuals have now been formally identified.
Galeppini was returned to his homeland alongside four other Italian nationals who perished in the blaze: Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo from Milan, Giovanni Tamburi from Bologna, and another victim from Genoa. A military aircraft transported the coffins to Milan, where armed forces personnel rendered solemn salutes during the dignified transfer ceremony.
The young golfer, ranked 3,454th in the world amateur golf rankings, was remembered by the Italian Golf Federation as “a young athlete who carried passion and authentic values with him.” The federation released an official statement expressing profound grief and extending condolences to his family and the wider sporting community.
Tributes have emerged internationally, particularly from the United Arab Emirates where Galeppini had established his home. Stephen Deane, Dubai Golf Head International Development Coach who mentored Galeppini for several years, described him to Khaleej Times as both exceptionally talented and remarkably kind-hearted, emphasizing his genuine concern for others.
While Italian officials and media have publicly confirmed the young athlete’s passing, Swiss police investigators continue their ongoing examination into the precise causes and circumstances surrounding one of Switzerland’s deadliest nightlife disasters in recent history.