Swiss authotorities initiate criminal investigations into Crans-Montana tragedy
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Swiss authorities announced on Saturday that they have initiated a criminal investigation. The investigation targets the two French owners of the Crans-Montana ski resort bar. A tragic fire at this location resulted in the deaths of 40 individuals during a New Year’s Eve celebration. “The police for the Valais region, where Crans-Montana is located, stated that the individuals are accused of negligent homicide. They also face charges of negligent bodily harm and negligent causing of a conflagration.” “It should be remembered that the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is reached.”
In addition to the 40 fatalities, a further 119 individuals were injured, most of whom sustained severe injuries. Police have indicated that many of the injured are teenagers or individuals in their mid-twenties. Authorities continued to identify the deceased and the injured on Saturday. The primary question under investigation by Swiss authorities concerns whether safety standards were maintained during the New Year’s Eve event. One of the owners stated on Friday that safety regulations had been adhered to.
According to the bar’s website, it had a capacity of 300 people, as well as 40 on the terrace. However, Beatrice Pilloud, the chief prosecutor of the Valais region, emphasized that safety standards remain the focus of the inquiry. Fire safety experts have already raised concerns that the bar may not have had a sufficient number of emergency exits. They have also questioned whether the soundproofing foam material installed beneath the ceiling complied with legal requirements.
The owners, a couple, conveyed to the media that they were devastated. They assured that they are cooperating fully with authorities. It has been suggested that sparklers were the cause of the New Year’s Eve fire. Pilloud shared the leading hypothesis for the fire’s origin. It involved “sparklers or Bengal candles attached to champagne bottles.” These items were “lifted too close to the ceiling.” Footage shared on social media depicts the low ceiling catching fire, with flames spreading rapidly. The fire originated in the basement of La Constellation at 1:30 a.m. (1230 GMT) on Thursday, with witnesses noting that only a “narrow” staircase connected the basement to the ground floor.
Stephane Ganzer is the chief safety officer for the Valais region. He told Swiss public radio on Saturday about a large-scale incident. It involved a fire in Switzerland and indicates a failure. It could be due to the materials involved. Alternatively, it might have been the organization on site.” He further stated, “Something did not work, and I am confident that someone made a mistake.”
