The devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve 2025 claimed 40 lives, many of them young revelers celebrating the arrival of 2026. Among the victims was a promising teenage golfer who had been photographed with Rory McIlroy, widely regarded as one of the first confirmed casualties. As investigators continue to probe the causes of the blaze—believed to have been ignited by sparklers on champagne bottles—a reported final phone message from one victim, “Save me,” has emerged as a poignant and disturbing detail, prompting authorities to re-examine aspects of the case and leaving families and the public grappling with unimaginable grief.

A Festive Night Turns to Horror

The tragedy unfolded around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, in the basement of the popular bar packed with over 150 partygoers. Videos captured inside show the joyful atmosphere: young people dancing, cheering as staff carried champagne bottles topped with sparkling fountains, a common celebratory ritual. But the sparks from these devices, held too close to the low ceiling lined with flammable acoustic foam, ignited a rapid fire.

In seconds, what witnesses described as a “flashover”—a sudden explosion of flames from built-up gases—engulfed the room. Partygoers who moments earlier were filming and celebrating found themselves in chaos: smoke billowing, heat intensifying, and exits overwhelmed. Many tried to smash windows or extinguish flames with clothing, but the blaze’s speed trapped dozens.

The toll was catastrophic: 40 dead, including numerous teenagers as young as 14, and over 100 injured, many with severe burns requiring treatment across Switzerland and Europe. The resort’s hospitals were overwhelmed, leading to airlifts and international transfers.

The Golfer’s Story: A Rising Star Lost

One of the first victims publicly named was Emanuele Galeppini, a 16- or 17-year-old Italian junior golfer based in Dubai. A member of the Italian national team, Galeppini was celebrated for his passion and talent, with recent victories including the 2025 Omega Dubai Creek Amateur Open. He had proudly posted photos on social media posing with golf legends like Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, and even footballer Dwight Yorke—calling one his “pic of the year.”

Galeppini embodied youthful promise: competitive, joyful, and dedicated to the sport he loved. His death, confirmed early in identifications, struck the golf community hard, with tributes pouring in for a “rising star” whose life was cut tragically short while celebrating with friends.

The Desperate Plea: “Save Me”

Amid the heartbreak, reports of final communications from victims have added layers of sorrow. One particularly haunting detail involves a recorded or sent message—”Save me”—from a victim’s phone as the fire raged. While specifics remain sensitive to protect families, such pleas captured in the chaos highlight the terror inside: people realizing the danger too late, reaching out in desperation.

This message, reportedly from one of the young victims, has profoundly affected investigators and first responders. It underscores the blaze’s suddenness—revelers initially unaware or dismissing the flames as part of the show. The detail has prompted a deeper look into timelines, escape attempts, and whether warnings or interventions could have altered outcomes.

Investigation: Safety Lapses and Accountability

Preliminary findings point to negligence: the use of indoor sparklers near combustible materials, potential overcrowding, and questions over fire safety compliance, extinguishers, and exits. A criminal investigation targets the bar’s French owners, examining renovations and protocols.

The “flashover” phenomenon—described by experts as gases igniting violently—explains the speed, leaving officials stunned at how quickly celebration turned deadly. Videos showing continued partying as flames crept in have become key evidence, illustrating delayed realization.

Identification took days due to burns, relying on DNA and records—a process called one of the case’s most difficult. All victims were eventually named, a mix of Swiss locals, Italians, French, and others, many minors enjoying holiday freedom.

A Nation in Mourning

Crans-Montana, known for luxury and alpine beauty, transformed into a place of silence: vigils, candlelit memorials, silent processions. Switzerland declared mourning, with messages like “You are all our children” at tributes.

Survivors recount trauma—scrambling escapes, helping others, lifelong scars. The tragedy, one of modern Switzerland’s worst, sparks calls for stricter venue regulations, especially festive hazards.

As probes advance, the “Save me” plea lingers—a final cry echoing the lost youth. This fire stole futures, leaving families forever changed and a resort forever marked.

The investigation seeks justice, ensuring such horror never repeats. In remembrance, lives like Emanuele Galeppini’s inspire: full of passion, ended too soon.