Prosecutors investigating the New Year's bar fire that killed 40 people in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana have opened a criminal investigation into a current and a former local council official, according to documents and local media reports.
The municipality's head of public safety was summoned to a hearing next Friday, their lawyer, Nicolas Rivard, confirmed on Thursday. A former council fire safety officer is also due to be questioned by investigators on 9 February. Documents from the prosecutor's office describe both individuals as 'defendants' in the case, indicating that past and present town hall officials could be held responsible for safety failings at Le Constellation bar.
The bar's French owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who face formal charges of negligent manslaughter, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson, were previously the only suspects under criminal investigation. The fire also injured 116 people, most of them teenagers. The dead include 21 Swiss nationals, nine French citizens, six Italians, and citizens of Belgium, Portugal, Romania and Turkey; the average age was 19.
Authorities believe the blaze started in the basement party room after sparklers attached to champagne bottles were held too close to the ceiling, which was clad with soundproofing foam that caught fire. Questions have been raised about the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers and whether exits complied with regulations.
Jacques Moretti was held in preventive custody for nearly two weeks before being released on bail of SFr200,000 on 23 January. The couple are due to be questioned again separately on 11 and 12 February. There was outrage earlier this month when the town's mayor admitted council safety officers had not carried out the obligatory annual safety check of Le Constellation since 2019.
Prosecutors rejected the council's request to become a party to the case. One document 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.' The Morettis have expressed their 'indescribable grief' and promised to cooperate fully with the investigation.
