Reports have emerged naming an Italian teen killed in Swiss fire as 16-year-old golfer Emanuele Galeppini. Several Italian media outlets identified him following a tribute from the Italian Golf Federation. However, Italy’s foreign ministry has not officially confirmed his death.
The Italian Golf Federation honored Emanuele as a “young athlete who carried with him passion and authentic values.” Notably, their statement did not mention the fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Still, local Italian press cited Emanuele’s father, who said his son was at the bar the night of the blaze and that the family last spoke to him at midnight.
Despite these reports, a spokesperson for Italy’s foreign ministry told the BBC it is not confirming Emanuele’s death. Swiss authorities have warned that victim identification could take days or even weeks due to the severity of the fire.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office is closely monitoring the situation. A spokesperson said, “Our thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy in Crans-Montana, and we pay tribute to the Swiss emergency services who are leading the response.” They added that British consular staff “stand ready to support any British nationals who may be affected.”
French and Italian citizens are among the missing, according to local officials. But as of now, no government has released a verified list of victims. The lack of confirmation underscores the sensitivity of early reporting in such tragedies.
Families across Europe remain in anguish as they await news. For now, while Emanuele Galeppini’s name circulates widely in the press, it remains unconfirmed by official channels. Until Swiss or Italian authorities provide formal identification, the situation remains fluid and deeply uncertain.
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