On January 7, 2026, as the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana continues to mourn the 40 lives lost in the devastating New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar, a deeply emotional detail has emerged about one of the youngest victims: 17-year-old Italian golf prodigy Emanuele Galeppini. A close friend of the talented teenager has shared what is believed to be his final message—a desperate five-word plea for help sent amid the chaos of the inferno: “Help me, I can’t breathe.”

Galeppini, a rising star in junior golf who lived in Dubai with his family, was celebrating the arrival of 2026 at the popular basement venue with two friends when tragedy struck around 1:30 a.m. on January 1. The friends managed to escape and were hospitalized, but Emanuele did not. He was the first victim publicly identified, with the Italian Golf Federation issuing a poignant tribute on January 2, describing him as a “young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values.” Tributes poured in from golf legends like Nick Faldo, who called him an “extremely gifted young man with a bright future,” and Tommy Fleetwood, who expressed condolences to the family.

Who Was Emanuele Galeppini? Teenage Golf Star Named As 1st Victim Of Swiss Resort Fire That Killed 40

 

The message, revealed by a close friend speaking anonymously to Italian media, was sent via WhatsApp or text in the moments after flames erupted from sparklers on champagne bottles igniting the ceiling’s flammable acoustic foam. Witnesses described initial confusion—partygoers filming, dancing, or attempting to swat out small flames—before toxic smoke filled the space rapidly. Emanuele’s plea underscores the terror: trapped in the basement with narrow exits and overwhelming smoke, many victims succumbed to inhalation before burns.

Emanuele’s promising career had already marked him as a prodigy. Ranked as high as 2,440 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (3,408 at his death), he won the Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open in April 2025, the JGE Junior Open, and a Faldo Junior Tour event. He finished runner-up in the 2023 Italian U14 Nationals and third in England’s Reid Trophy. Dreaming of a U.S. college scholarship and professional tour, he embodied dedication and talent. Photos of him with Rory McIlroy circulated after his death, highlighting his connections in the golf world.

His family, vacationing in Crans-Montana—a resort famous for skiing and hosting the Omega European Masters golf tournament—was devastated. Father Edoardo Galeppini had searched frantically outside the bar that night, appealing on Italian TV: “Help me find Emanuele.” Uncle Sebastiano confirmed the family’s anguish as DNA identification proceeded. The Italian Olympic Committee and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended condolences, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani visiting the site.

The fire’s cause—sparklers held too close to the ceiling during festive bottle service—has been confirmed by prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud. Videos show staff, sometimes hoisting colleagues on shoulders, parading lit fountains perilously near low, foam-insulated panels installed in a 2015 renovation. A flashover created explosive panic, with music blaring and delayed evacuation worsening the crush at exits.

Safety failures compound the grief: no fire inspection since 2019 despite requirements, allegedly locked extinguishers, and jammed doors. Owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti face charges of involuntary homicide and negligence. Mayor Nicolas Féraud expressed “bitter regret,” imposing a sparkler ban and audits.

Victims were overwhelmingly young—26 teenagers, youngest 14—with multinational ties: 21 Swiss, nine French, six Italians (including Emanuele), and others. All were identified by January 5. Survivors like Paolo Campolo, who pried open a door after his daughter’s call, saved lives amid horror.

Emanuele’s final words—”Help me, I can’t breathe”—echo the suffocation many endured, a haunting reminder of lost potential. The golf community mourns deeply; Crans-Montana, with its serene slopes scarred by memorials, vows reform. As national mourning continues, his story fuels calls for stricter safety, ensuring no more young dreams end in smoke