Families of victims from the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, express outrage after officials admitted no safety inspections occurred for five years. The blaze killed 40 people, including eight under 16, and injured 116 with severe burns treated across Europe. Prosecutors pinpoint champagne bottles with attached sparklers igniting sound-insulating ceiling foam as the cause.
Victims and family reactions
Emotions remain raw as funerals proceed, like Ricardo Minghetti’s on Wednesday. Lawyer Romain Jordan, representing families, calls the inspection breaches “staggering,” urging urgent municipal investigation. Other attorneys press officials for accountability in this Swiss ski resort tragedy.
Many victims were young, amplifying grief during what should have been festive celebrations.
Investigation targets managers
French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the bar managers, face criminal probes for manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Not in custody, they issued a statement expressing devastation and full cooperation. Swiss system distributes safety enforcement: cantons set rules, 2,131 municipalities implement.
Annual checks were mandatory for such venues.
Official admissions and bans
Mayor Nicolas Feraud expressed regret on Tuesday, unable to explain the lapse, but pledged responsibility to families. Sparklers are now banned locally to prevent repeats. Power lies across confederation, cantons, municipalities, highlighting local implementation failures.
Injured identified; some treated abroad amid ongoing probes.
Source: BBC
Also read: Crans-Montana: Alice Kallergis body identified
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