In a significant development following the devastating New Year's Eve tragedy in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation targeting two local council officials. This move expands the legal scrutiny beyond the bar's owners, who were previously the sole suspects facing formal charges in connection with the fire that claimed 40 young lives and left 116 people injured, most of them teenagers.
Officials Summoned for Questioning
According to documents obtained by Reuters and corroborated by local media reports, the municipality's head of public safety has been summoned to a hearing scheduled for next Friday. Their legal representative, Nicolas Rivard, confirmed the summons on Thursday, stating that his client would reserve any comments for the public prosecutors. In a parallel development, a former council fire safety officer is due to be questioned by investigators in the south-western canton of Valais on 9 February. Their lawyer, David Aioutz, has affirmed that his client will attend the state prosecutor's office as required.
Both individuals, who have not been publicly named, are described as "defendants" in the case within the prosecutor's office documents. These papers suggest that past and present town hall officials could bear responsibility for safety deficiencies at Le Constellation bar, where the fatal blaze occurred.
Expanding the Scope of the Investigation
Until now, the French owners of the bar, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, were the only individuals under criminal investigation. They face formal charges of negligent manslaughter, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson. The new probe into the officials marks a pivotal shift, indicating that authorities are examining potential systemic failures in enforcing health and safety regulations.
The investigation aims to clarify the precise circumstances of the fire and determine the extent to which safety protocols were adhered to. It seeks to establish criminal liability not only on the part of the bar owners and staff but also among local authorities. Questions have been raised regarding the availability and accessibility of fire extinguishers in the basement and whether the exits, including a reportedly narrow single staircase, complied with regulatory standards.
Outrage Over Lapsed Safety Checks
Earlier this month, public outrage erupted when the town's mayor, Nicolas Féraud, admitted that council safety officers had failed to conduct the mandatory annual safety inspection of Le Constellation since 2019. This admission has intensified scrutiny on the municipality's oversight responsibilities.
Prosecutors have rejected the council's request to become a party to the case, which would have granted it the same status as the victims. One document explicitly stated, "There are ... reasons to believe that the municipality failed in its duty to enforce the various regulations for which it was responsible [and that are] intended to safeguard the lives and physical integrity of the bar's customers." It further noted that such failings could be attributed to both staff members and members of the town council, past and present.
Details of the Tragedy and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The inferno, which authorities believe started in the basement party room due to sparklers from champagne bottles igniting soundproofing foam on the ceiling, represents one of the worst disasters in modern Swiss history. The victims included 21 Swiss nationals, nine French citizens, six Italians, and individuals from Belgium, Portugal, Romania, and Turkey, with an average age of 19.
Jacques Moretti was held in preventive custody for nearly two weeks before being released on bail of SFr200,000 (£189,000) on 23 January. Both he and his wife are scheduled to be questioned separately on 11 and 12 February. The Morettis have expressed their "indescribable grief" and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
Alexandre Edelmann of Presence Switzerland, an organisation dedicated to promoting the country's image abroad, remarked that the fire constitutes the most significant blow to Switzerland's reputation since the collapse of Credit Suisse bank in 2023. Officials from the municipality and the prosecutors' office have not immediately responded to requests for comment as the investigation continues to unfold.
