Family members of a Dubai teenager feared dead in a Swiss nightclub fire remain hopeful as authorities continue identifying victims, while DNA results and official confirmations are still awaited.
Relatives of Dubai teenager believed killed in Swiss nightclub blaze continue clinging to hope
Flowers, handwritten notes and soft toy bears were placed outside the “Le Constellation” bar following a fire and explosion during a New Year’s Eve celebration in southwestern Switzerland on January 2, 2026. Photo: Reuters/File
The uncle of a Dubai-based teenager believed to have died in the tragic Swiss ski resort blaze said the family continues to wait for DNA confirmation. Italian media reported that relatives of 17-year-old Emanuele Galeppini are still anxiously awaiting clarity on his condition.
Emanuele was caught in the fire during the early hours of Thursday as flames tore through the well-known resort town of Crans-Montana in Switzerland. The disaster has claimed more than 40 lives and left over 115 people injured, several of them in critical condition. Authorities said severe burn injuries have complicated the identification of victims, and the process may take several days or even weeks.
Emanuele’s father was among parents who made public appeals seeking information about their missing children, many of whom remain untraced.
Originally from Genoa, Emanuele was a talented golfer who had lived in the UAE with his family for several years. He was enrolled at a well-known school in Dubai and was on track to graduate in 2027.
Missing list
The Italian foreign ministry confirmed that six Italian nationals are still missing, with Emanuele listed among them. He had been holidaying at the resort with his parents and went to the bar on New Year’s Eve with two friends.
International media reports said the family last spoke to him around midnight and lost contact shortly after. When news of the incident emerged, his parents attempted repeatedly to reach him but received no response.
They spent Thursday visiting hospitals across the region in hopes of locating their son among the injured.
“We are unable to contact him—please help us find him,” his father said in an appeal aired on Italian television, according to La Repubblica.
An Italian foreign ministry official told the BBC that the death had not yet been confirmed. It was later reported that Emanuele’s mobile phone was recovered on Friday.
During a press briefing on Friday, Swiss officials said the fire may have started from sparkler candles placed on top of bottles. These bottles were reportedly positioned too close to the ceiling, triggering a flashover that caused the blaze to spread at extreme speed.
A flashover occurs when a sudden and highly dangerous event causes nearly everything in an enclosed space to ignite simultaneously.
Once temperatures rise to critical levels, all flammable materials—such as furniture, curtains, clothing and even combustible gases in the air—catch fire at once, turning a contained blaze into a fully engulfing inferno within seconds.
Family members and friends of the victims have continued to gather outside the damaged bar, leaving candles and messages as a sign of remembrance and solidarity. Many stood silently, holding photographs and flowers, as authorities worked nearby to secure the site. The atmosphere has been described as heavy with grief, as relatives cling to hope while awaiting official identification results. Local residents and tourists have also joined the vigils, offering comfort to affected families. Community leaders said the tragedy has deeply shaken the resort town, which is usually associated with winter celebrations and festive gatherings.
Rescue teams and forensic specialists remain engaged in the painstaking task of identifying victims using DNA analysis and dental records. Officials said the scale of the blaze and the intensity of the heat severely damaged the interior of the venue, complicating recovery efforts. Authorities have emphasised that accuracy is being prioritised over speed to ensure families receive reliable information. International coordination has been crucial, with embassies assisting their citizens and facilitating communication between families and Swiss officials during the ongoing investigation.
Friends and classmates in Dubai have also expressed shock and sadness following the incident. Teachers and students at Emanuele’s school reportedly held moments of silence and shared messages of support for his family. Many described him as disciplined, kind and passionate about sports, particularly golf. Parents at the school said counselling support had been offered to students affected by the news. The wider expatriate community in the UAE has rallied around the family, offering prayers and assistance during the uncertain waiting period.
Swiss authorities have launched a full investigation into safety compliance at the venue, including fire prevention measures and emergency exits. Officials said they are examining whether crowd size, interior design or decorative elements contributed to the rapid spread of flames. Witnesses have described chaotic scenes as people attempted to escape amid thick smoke and intense heat. Fire safety experts note that flashover incidents can occur within minutes in enclosed spaces, leaving little time for evacuation once critical conditions are reached.
As families await answers, officials have urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on verified information from authorities. Media outlets have been asked to respect the privacy of victims and their relatives during this difficult time. Memorial services are expected to be organised once identifications are completed. For now, loved ones continue to wait anxiously, hoping for clarity and closure, while communities across several countries mourn a tragedy that unfolded during what was meant to be a night of celebration.
