Crans-Montana fire: investigation extended to five current and former officials of the municipality

The public prosecutor's office in the Swiss canton of Valais announced on Monday, March 9, that it had placed five current and former officials of the municipality of Crans-Montana under criminal investigation as part of the inquiry into the bar fire that killed 41 people and injured 115 on New Year's Eve.

The investigation for "arson by negligence, manslaughter by negligence, and serious bodily harm by negligence" now targets nine people, including the French owners of the bar, the current head of security for Crans-Montana, and his predecessor.

Compliance with Standards at the Heart of the Investigation

The public prosecutor's office is tasked with uncovering the exact circumstances of the fire that ravaged the Constellation bar in the center of the Swiss ski resort, the owners' compliance with safety standards, and the various responsibilities involved.

The municipality has acknowledged the lack of fire safety inspections at the bar since 2019, despite them being required annually, leading some lawyers for the victims' families to demand that political authorities also be targeted by the proceedings.

Occurring on New Year's Eve, the fire was caused, according to the investigation, by sparks from fountain candles that ignited soundproofing foam on the ceiling of the establishment's basement.