Member of the Italian National golf team confirmed dead in Swiss New Year’s fire

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A member of the Italian national golf team is believed to be among the 40 people who died in a fire at a Swiss ski resort in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The Italian Golf Federation released a statement on social media identifying Emanuele Galeppini, 17, was one of the victims.

The message described Galeppini as “a young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values. In this moment of great sorrow, our thoughts go to his family and to all those who loved him. Emanuele, you will remain forever in our hearts.”

According to the BBC, the Italian foreign ministry has yet to confirm Galeppini’s death. Galeppini’s father told local Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that Emanuele was at the bar on the night of the fire and that the last time the family spoke with him was at midnight.

Galeppini was currently ranked 3,408th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, with his high being 2,440th. According to the Nick Faldo Junior Series, Galeppini won an Under 16 event in Al Ain. A social media post from the Faldo Series noted that Galeppini 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.”

Galeppini’s bio on his WAGR page lists him as attending the Swiss International School in Dubai as a member of the Class of 2027.

Early reports about the tragedy at Switzerland’s Crans-Montana ski resort have at least 40 people dead with 119 people injured. The fire inside the Le Constellation bar – a popular hotspot for young adults, teens and tourists – began, according to Swiss authorities around 1:30am on January 1.

Officials say early indications are that the fire started from sparklers being placed on bottles of champagne that were moved too close to the ceiling, which eventually ignited the ceiling insulation.