The county of the Swiss canton of Valais announced that it has placed five current and former officials of the Crans-Montana community under criminal investigation, as part of the probe into the deadly fire at “Le Constellation” club, which claimed the lives of 41 people and injured 115 others on New Year’s Eve. The General Prosecutor’s Office of Valais county did not provide further details, but a police source connected to the case confirmed published reports that the five include Crans-Montana mayor Nicolas Feraud.
Read: Crans-Montana: New revealing video shows moment deadly bar fire began
The investigation for “negligent arson, manslaughter, and negligent grievous bodily harm” now involves nine people, including the club owners, the head of Crans-Montana security services and his predecessor.
Crans-Montana fire: No safety inspections during 2020-2025 period
The municipality of Crans-Montana has admitted there were “omissions” in conducting periodic safety and fire inspections at the club that was destroyed by fire on New Year’s Eve, leading to 41 deaths.
In a press conference given days after the tragedy, and without being able to explain the “omission” in conducting inspections, mayor Nicolas Feraud stated: “Periodic inspections were not carried out during 2020-2025. We deeply regret this.”
Prosecutors investigating the tragedy’s circumstances believe the fire erupted when sparks from flares reached the basement club’s ceiling, which was made of synthetic acoustic panels that ignited and contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.
The acoustic insulation material on the basement club ceiling had been deemed acceptable during a 2019 inspection, while due to the bar’s size, fire alarm installation was not mandatory.
“No inspection was ever conducted on this acoustic foam material. Our safety officials didn’t consider it necessary,” Nicolas Feraud had stated during the press conference.
