Crans-Montana Fire: Four Municipal Officials Charged in Investigation
Swiss authorities have charged four additional individuals, including current and former municipal officials, in the criminal investigation into the deadly New Year's Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. This development brings the total number of defendants to thirteen. The new suspects include the current municipal councilor for security, the deputy head of public security, a former security councilor, and the former president of neighboring Chermignon. They are scheduled for hearings between May 11 and June 3. The primary defendants remain Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the bar owners, with Jacques Moretti’s next hearing set for June 5 following a medical postponement. Crans-Montana President Nicolas Féraud is also under prosecution, having denied responsibility despite admitting that mandatory annual safety checks were not conducted since 2019. The tragedy resulted in 41 deaths and 115 injuries, primarily among young adults. Investigators determined that sparks from fountain candles ignited acoustic foam in the basement. Civil party lawyers welcomed the investigation's progress, emphasizing its importance for the victims' families.
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Crans-Montana Fire: Four Municipal Officials Charged in Investigation
Swiss authorities have charged four additional individuals, including current and former municipal officials, in the criminal investigation into the deadly New Year's Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. This development brings the total number of defendants to thirteen. The new suspects include the current municipal councilor for security, the deputy head of public security, a former security councilor, and the former president of neighboring Chermignon. They are scheduled for hearings between May 11 and June 3. The primary defendants remain Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the bar owners, with Jacques Moretti’s next hearing set for June 5 following a medical postponement. Crans-Montana President Nicolas Féraud is also under prosecution, having denied responsibility despite admitting that mandatory annual safety checks were not conducted since 2019. The tragedy resulted in 41 deaths and 115 injuries, primarily among young adults. Investigators determined that sparks from fountain candles ignited acoustic foam in the basement. Civil party lawyers welcomed the investigation's progress, emphasizing its importance for the victims' families.
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