Four More Officials Charged in Swiss New Year's Bar Fire Probe
Prosecutors in the Swiss canton of Wallis have expanded their investigation into the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana by charging four additional officials. This development brings the total number of suspects to 13, including current and former municipal authorities and safety department heads. The new defendants, who include the current security councillor, a former predecessor, the deputy head of public safety, and a former mayor of neighboring Chermignon, are scheduled for interviews between May 11 and June 3. The tragic fire, which occurred on January 1, 2026, claimed 41 lives, mostly teenagers, and injured 115 others. Investigators believe the blaze was ignited by sparklers attached to champagne bottles near flammable ceiling foam. Existing suspects include the bar’s French owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who face charges of negligence. While victims' families have praised the investigation's progress, prosecutors rejected a request for an extraordinary prosecutor, asserting their capacity to handle the case independently. The incident has highlighted significant lapses in safety inspections, with reports indicating that annual checks had not been conducted for six years.
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Four More Officials Charged in Swiss New Year's Bar Fire Probe
Prosecutors in the Swiss canton of Wallis have expanded their investigation into the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana by charging four additional officials. This development brings the total number of suspects to 13, including current and former municipal authorities and safety department heads. The new defendants, who include the current security councillor, a former predecessor, the deputy head of public safety, and a former mayor of neighboring Chermignon, are scheduled for interviews between May 11 and June 3. The tragic fire, which occurred on January 1, 2026, claimed 41 lives, mostly teenagers, and injured 115 others. Investigators believe the blaze was ignited by sparklers attached to champagne bottles near flammable ceiling foam. Existing suspects include the bar’s French owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who face charges of negligence. While victims' families have praised the investigation's progress, prosecutors rejected a request for an extraordinary prosecutor, asserting their capacity to handle the case independently. The incident has highlighted significant lapses in safety inspections, with reports indicating that annual checks had not been conducted for six years.
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