A tragic fire in Switzerland has claimed many lives. The first victim has now been identified. He is Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage golfer from Italy.
Who is Emanuele Galeppini?
The fire happened at a popular bar called Le Constellation. It is located in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The bar was packed with around 200 people celebrating New Year’s Eve.
A sudden and fierce “flashover” inferno erupted. This led to a horrific scene. Forty-seven people lost their lives in the blaze.
Emanuele Galeppini was among them. The Italian Golf Federation confirmed his death. They called him a young athlete full of passion and good values.
The federation shared a sad message. They said their thoughts are with his family and all who loved him.
Identifying the victims has been very difficult. The fire caused severe burns. Experts are using dental records and DNA tests. This process will take several days.
Over one hundred people were also injured. They were taken to hospitals across Switzerland. Some were flown to hospitals in France, Germany, and Belgium.
The local Valais hospital received 60 patients. Many of them had third-degree burns. The hospital activated its special disaster plan to help.
Survivors described a terrifying scene. People were screaming and running for their lives. The fire spread quickly. Many people were trapped inside the burning building.
The victims were of different ages. Some survivors taken to hospitals were as young as 15 years old.
Now, many families face an unbearable wait. They must wait for officials to identify their loved ones. The process is slow due to the severity of the injuries. It is a time of great sorrow and uncertainty.