Valais Allocates CHF1.25M for Crans-Montana Fire Probe

The Grand Council of the Swiss canton of Valais has approved funding of CHF1.255 million to support the ongoing investigation into the deadly fire in Crans-Montana. The financial package will strengthen the resources of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and cantonal police as they continue their work on the case.

A significant portion of the funding, CHF670,000, has been allocated to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. This includes the recruitment and support of additional staff such as registrars, executive secretaries, and administrative personnel to ensure the investigation progresses efficiently.

Further funds totaling CHF150,000 have been set aside for project management costs. These expenses include expert evaluations, rental and equipment of hearing facilities, as well as logistical support required for legal proceedings. Additional allocations cover administrative expenses, translation services, expert mandates, and office equipment.

The cantonal police will receive CHF585,000 to support their operational responsibilities. Of this amount, CHF500,000 is dedicated to security operations linked to the investigation. The remaining funds will cover accommodation, travel expenses, subsistence costs, and necessary equipment for officers involved in the case.

The funding follows the devastating New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, which resulted in 41 deaths and left 115 people injured. The incident has been described as one of the most serious tragedies in the region’s recent history.

Authorities continue to investigate the causes of the fire while supporting victims and their families. The additional financial resources are intended to ensure a thorough and well-supported judicial process.

Officials in Valais emphasize that the investigation remains a top priority, with all necessary measures being taken to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and ensure accountability where required.

Crans-Montana Fire Case Expands.

Swiss prosecutors have widened their investigation into the deadly Crans-Montana fire after new allegations emerged against one of the owners of Le Constellation bar. Authorities conducted a lengthy confrontation hearing involving the owners as they continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragic New Year’s Day blaze that claimed lives and injured several people.

During the hearing, prosecutors informed one of the owners that she now faces an additional forgery allegation linked to documentation concerning polyurethane acoustic foam installed in the venue. Investigators are reviewing records connected to the material that caught fire during the incident. The development marks a significant step in the ongoing criminal investigation.

Lawyers representing victims’ families welcomed the new line of inquiry and questioned the origins, purchase details, and suitability of the foam used inside the establishment. They argued that several important questions remain unanswered and called for complete transparency regarding the materials present in the venue before the tragedy occurred.

The defense team rejected suggestions of wrongdoing and stated that the purchase was legitimate. According to the lawyers, the issue relates to accounting records rather than the cause of the fire itself. They described the allegation as unrelated to the tragic events that unfolded in Crans-Montana.

Prosecutors also examined internal messages exchanged between the owners and employees. Some communications reportedly included warnings about sparkler candles used during celebrations. Investigators are assessing whether those messages demonstrate prior awareness of potential fire risks inside the premises.

Another message reviewed during the hearing concerned an emergency exit reportedly blocked at the venue. The exchange has attracted attention from lawyers representing victims, who believe it could become an important element of the investigation. Defense lawyers maintain that the messages should not be interpreted without proper context.

The Crans-Montana tragedy remains one of the most closely followed legal cases in Switzerland this year. Authorities continue to gather evidence while prosecutors evaluate the responsibilities of all individuals connected to the operation, management, and approval of the establishment.

As the investigation progresses, victims’ families continue to seek answers and accountability. The findings of Swiss prosecutors are expected to play a crucial role in determining whether additional charges or legal actions will follow in the coming months.

Memorial Concert Honors Crans-Montana Fire Victims.

Five months after the tragic fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a special memorial concert was held to honor those who lost their lives and to support survivors still recovering from their injuries.

The event, titled “Tribute to the Angels of Crans-Montana,” was organized by the Italian Embassy in Bern and served as a moment of reflection, remembrance, and solidarity. The concert aimed to commemorate the young victims of one of Switzerland’s most heartbreaking recent tragedies.

The fire claimed the lives of 41 people and left 115 others injured, several of them seriously. The disaster deeply affected families, friends, and communities both in Switzerland and abroad.

Under the artistic direction of renowned violinist Michael Guttman, the Crans Montana Classics concert featured an ensemble of 12 string musicians. The performers presented a selection of emotional and inspiring works by celebrated composers including Giacomo Puccini, Maurice Ravel, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Benjamin Britten.

More than 250 people attended the memorial gathering. Among those present were Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado, Swiss Federal Councillor Beat Jans, Valais State Council President Christophe Darbellay, and Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Féraud.

The concert created a solemn atmosphere where attendees could remember the victims, express support for the injured, and reflect on the importance of community solidarity during difficult times.

As Crans-Montana continues to heal from the tragedy, the memorial concert served as a powerful reminder of the lives lost and the resilience shown by survivors, families, and the wider community.

The event highlighted the enduring bonds between Switzerland and Italy and demonstrated the commitment of both nations to honor the memory of those affected by the devastating fire.

Swiss Police Probe Another Moretti Property Fire.

Authorities in Switzerland have expanded the investigation linked to the deadly Le Constellation Bar Fire tragedy by examining another property owned by the Moretti couple in the canton of Valais.

According to reports from RTS, prosecutors and cantonal police are now investigating a 2024 fire at the “Le Vieux Chalet” restaurant. The property also belongs to Jessica and Jacques Moretti, who are connected to the ongoing Crans-Montana case.

The “Le Vieux Chalet” restaurant was destroyed by fire on February 29, 2024. At that time, authorities concluded that a technical malfunction was the likely cause of the incident. Prosecutors previously ruled out deliberate or accidental human involvement and closed the case without pursuing criminal charges.

However, following the devastating fire at “Le Constellation” bar on January 1, investigators reopened their interest in the earlier restaurant fire. Valais prosecutors officially assigned a new investigative mandate to the cantonal police on April 29.

The investigation aims to analyse suspicions reportedly raised by the Federal Office of Police, including possible insurance fraud linked to the previous fire incident.

Valais cantonal public prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud confirmed the investigation to media outlets. Meanwhile, lawyer representatives for Jacques Moretti criticised the decision to reopen scrutiny into the earlier case.

The broader Crans-Montana fire tragedy continues to attract major public attention in Switzerland after the disaster claimed dozens of lives and triggered extensive legal and criminal investigations.

Authorities have not announced any formal charges related to the latest inquiry, and investigations remain ongoing.

Crans-Montana Fire Victim Seeks €8.2M Compensation.

A French woman seriously injured in the deadly Crans-Montana Fire Disaster has filed a compensation claim worth €8.2 million (CHF7.5 million) in a Paris court. Her lawyer stated that the claim aims to cover urgent medical expenses and lifelong care costs following the tragic incident.

The victim’s lawyer, Sébastien Fanti, explained that the legal request includes €2 million as an immediate payment for emergency treatment and ongoing support. The remaining amount would help cover medical care, rehabilitation, loss of earnings, and future living expenses for the victim.

According to the lawyer, the woman suffered severe physical injuries during the devastating fire and will require permanent care for the rest of her life. An expert reportedly prepared the preliminary compensation estimate submitted to the court in Paris.

The legal action was filed with the Compensation Commission for Victims of Crime in Paris. It follows a criminal complaint submitted to the Valais public prosecutor’s office on April 1. The complaint includes allegations of negligent arson, negligent grievous bodily harm, and violations of building regulations connected to the disaster.

Lawyer Sébastien Fanti said he currently represents 26 victims and family members affected by the tragedy. He also stated that he believes France could eventually pay compensation to the injured woman and later seek accountability from local Swiss authorities.

The tragic fire disaster took place in Crans-Montana on New Year’s Day. The incident claimed the lives of 41 people and injured 115 others, making it one of the most devastating recent tragedies in Switzerland.

Authorities in the canton of Valais continue investigating the causes of the fire and possible violations of safety regulations. The case has attracted significant public attention across both Switzerland and France due to the scale of the disaster and the ongoing legal proceedings.