Young golfer named as first Italian victim of Swiss bar blaze


ROME, Jan 2 (Reuters) - ‌Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old Italian international ‌golfer who lived in Dubai, was named ‌on Friday as the first of several possible victims from Italy to be identified after a New ‍Year's Eve bar fire in ‍the Swiss ski resort ‌of Crans-Montana.

"The Italian Golf Federation mourns the passing ‍of ​Emanuele Galeppini, a young athlete who carried with him passion and ⁠genuine values," the federation said in a ‌statement.

Swiss authorities have said around 40 people died ⁠in the ‍fire and more than 110 were injured. Authorities have warned that naming the victims or ‍establishing a definitive death toll ‌would take time because many of the bodies were badly burned.

Italy's ambassador to Switzerland said earlier that six Italians were missing and 13 were in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.

Galeppini had been in Crans-Montana with his ‌family. Italian media reported that he had gone to the Constellation bar with two friends, who managed ​to escape the fire and were taken to nearby hospitals.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; editing by Philippa Fletcher)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

New Zealand readies for further storm damage after floods kill one person
LA28 chief Wasserman is putting his talent agency up for sale after Maxwell revelations, WSJ reports
US military says it struck a vessel in Caribbean, killing three
UK PM Starmer urges closer collaboration with Europe on defence
Japan's Totsuka wins men's snowboard halfpipe, five-time Olympian James settles for silver again
Sweden remains unbeaten in women's curling as Canada, Switzerland lead men's table
Peru Congress to debate motion to remove President Jeri amid scandal
U.S. stocks close mixed
Tajikistan's public debt stands at 3.5 bln USD as of Jan. 1
Crude futures settle higher

Others Also Read