Lawyers Seek Harsher Charges in Crans-Montana Bar Fire Case

Legal pressure is mounting in Switzerland as two lawyers call for more severe charges in connection with the deadly fire that occurred at a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1.

The lawyers, representing different parties involved in the case, are urging prosecutors to upgrade the charges against the bar owners from negligent manslaughter to murder with eventual intent.

According to Swiss public broadcaster RTS, and confirmed by the Valais cantonal Public Prosecutor’s Office, attorney Sophie Haenni—who represents the waitress accused of starting the fire—and lawyer Ludovic Tirelli, acting for the victims’ families, have both formally written to the Public Prosecutor in recent days.

Their request follows recent statements made by bar owner Jessica Moretti during a hearing before the panel of prosecutors handling the investigation. These statements are linked to earlier WhatsApp exchanges from 2019 involving former employees, which have now become part of the ongoing legal scrutiny.

The case revolves around the deadly fire at the Constellation bar, which has already raised serious questions about responsibility, safety standards, and decision-making within the establishment.

Prosecutors are currently reviewing the request while continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the chain of events that led to the tragedy.

If the charges are upgraded, the case could take a significantly different legal direction, potentially leading to more severe penalties for those found responsible.

The Crans-Montana fire case remains one of the most closely watched legal proceedings in the Valais region, as families of the victims continue to seek justice and clarity over what happened on that night.

Swiss and Belgian Doctors Launch Charity for Burn Victims After Crans-Montana Tragedy.

Five months after the devastating Crans-Montana bar fire that claimed 41 lives and injured more than 100 people, Swiss and Belgian medical professionals have launched a new charity initiative aimed at supporting burn victims and advancing burn treatment research.

The organization, known as Initiative Phoenix, brings together a team of experienced surgeons and specialists from Switzerland and Belgium. The charity seeks to improve care for people suffering from severe burn injuries while promoting medical innovation and international collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Belgian plastic surgeon Dr. Johann Wary, who lives near the site of the tragedy and works at a nearby clinic, has been appointed president of the association. He explained that the project was inspired by the profound impact the disaster had on local communities and healthcare professionals involved in treating victims.

The association’s vice-president is former Michelin-starred chef Didier de Courten, who said the tragedy deeply affected those connected to the hospitality sector. He emphasized the importance of supporting initiatives that help victims and their families rebuild their lives.

Initiative Phoenix is supported by a scientific committee comprising leading Swiss and Belgian surgeons, including specialists from Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). The committee aims to encourage research, share expertise, and develop new treatment approaches for patients with severe burn injuries.

All medical experts involved in the project are volunteering their services. The association plans to provide guidance and support to victims and their families without financial interest. It also hopes to raise funds for research projects, scholarships for young plastic surgeons, and medical treatments not fully covered by insurance.

In addition, Initiative Phoenix plans to organize an annual international scientific symposium in Crans-Montana focused on burn injury treatment and recovery. The first conference could take place in early 2027.

The launch of Initiative Phoenix represents a significant step toward improving long-term support for burn victims while strengthening international cooperation in medical research and patient care.

Association for Burn Victims Founded After Crans-Montana Fire.

A new organisation called Initiative Phoenix has been founded in Switzerland to support victims of the devastating Crans-Montana fire disaster, which killed 41 people and left 115 injured.

The association was created five months after the tragedy and aims to improve medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term support for burn victims. It focuses on promoting medical innovation in burn treatment and strengthening cooperation between international specialists.

Initiative Phoenix also plans to develop practical therapeutic guidelines for victims and their families. These recommendations will be created through collaboration between doctors and experts, allowing affected individuals to access structured medical and psychological support.

The organisation will further support humanitarian, scientific, and social initiatives related to severe accident recovery. A key goal is to improve coordination between medical institutions treating serious burn injuries across Switzerland and abroad.

The project was initiated by Belgian plastic surgeon Johann Wary, who resides in Crans-Montana. He is supported by a medical committee consisting of six Swiss and Belgian doctors, including specialists from CHUV Lausanne, one of Switzerland’s leading university hospitals.

The initiative reflects growing efforts to provide long-term care and structured recovery pathways for victims of large-scale disasters.

Crans-Montana Fire Rescue Team Wins International SAR Award.

The emergency response teams involved in the Crans-Montana bar fire in Switzerland have received international recognition, winning the “Search and Rescue Mission of the Year” award for their coordinated life-saving operation.

The award was presented in London on May 15 to around 250 health and emergency service personnel who responded to the deadly fire on January 1. The incident required a large-scale, multi-agency rescue effort under extremely challenging conditions.

Organizers said the award recognizes a dramatic operation that had a profound impact on both victims and first responders. It highlights the professionalism and coordination of all teams involved in managing the crisis.

The Valais Cantonal Rescue Organisation (KWRO) played a central role in coordinating the response. The operation brought together emergency call services, ambulance teams, air rescue units, emergency physicians, and hospital services in a highly integrated system.

Officials described the response as “unusually large in scale,” emphasizing the effectiveness of the Valais emergency model in handling mass casualty incidents.

The recognition comes amid ongoing legal and investigative scrutiny related to the fire, but authorities say the award specifically honors operational excellence and teamwork during the emergency response.

Fourteenth Suspect Charged in Crans-Montana Fire Investigation.

Swiss investigators have charged another individual in connection with the deadly Crans-Montana fire case, expanding the ongoing criminal investigation into one of the country’s worst recent tragedies.

According to reports from RTS, a municipal employee from Crans-Montana was formally placed under investigation during police questioning in the city of Sion on Tuesday.

The employee initially appeared before authorities as a person asked to provide information, a legal status positioned between witness and suspect. However, investigators reportedly interrupted the hearing and consulted prosecutors overseeing the case before changing the individual’s status to that of a formal defendant.

After being informed of the new status, the employee declined to continue the interrogation, which then ended.

Authorities believe the suspect may have had knowledge linked to renovation work carried out in 2015 at the Le Constellation bar, the site of the deadly fire. At the time, the employee worked in the Construction Department of the former municipality of Chermignon and currently remains active in the construction sector for the municipality of Crans-Montana.

The latest development brings the total number of individuals under investigation to 14. Those being investigated now include the bar owners, elected or former public officials, and several municipal employees.

The tragedy triggered widespread scrutiny over fire safety standards, renovation oversight, and administrative accountability in Switzerland. Investigators continue examining whether violations of construction regulations or oversight failures contributed to the disaster.

French Victim of Crans-Montana Fire Files Cross-Border Compensation Claim

A young French woman severely injured in the Crans-Montana bar fire in Switzerland has filed a compensation claim with the Crime Victims Compensation Commission (CIVI) at the Paris Judicial Court.

The 26-year-old victim suffered life-changing injuries in the New Year’s fire, which killed 41 people and injured more than 100 others. According to her lawyer, Sébastien Fanti, she sustained second- and third-degree burns covering 58.5% of her body and has lost the use of both hands.

The legal claim seeks compensation for severe physical, psychological, and functional damage, as well as the loss of her ability to work. While the exact amount has not been disclosed, the lawyer stated it reflects the “exceptional severity” of the injuries.

The legal action aims to use both Swiss and French legal systems to ensure the victim receives financial support to rebuild her life. The lawyer emphasized that while no compensation can undo the suffering, it can help provide a path toward recovery and stability.

The case is linked to a broader criminal investigation launched after allegations of culpable fire, grievous bodily harm, and violations of building safety regulations. The complaint was filed with the Valais public prosecutor’s office and targets individuals responsible for managing and supervising the premises.

The investigation also extends to potential administrative and political responsibility, as legal representatives argue that accountability may involve multiple levels of oversight failure.

Authorities in the canton of Valais have confirmed receipt of the complaint and continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

Former Official Remains Silent in Crans-Montana Fire Investigation

The investigation into the deadly fire at the Crans-Montana nightclub continues as a former municipal official has refused to answer questions from prosecutors, citing lack of access to the case file.

The fire, which broke out at the “Le Constellation” bar on New Year’s Eve, killed 41 people and injured more than 100 others, making it one of the most serious fire disasters in modern Swiss history.

Former public official Jean-Claude Savoy, who served as president of the municipality of Chermignon from 2009 to 2016, appeared before investigators at the Energypolis campus in Sion. However, he chose to remain silent during questioning.

According to his lawyer, Bryan Pitteloud, Savoy did not respond to questions because he had not yet been granted access to the investigation files. The lawyer stated that his client intends to fully cooperate once he has reviewed the evidence.

Prosecutors from the public investigation team, along with multiple legal representatives, are examining potential administrative and regulatory responsibilities linked to the operation of the venue.

Records show that in 2015, while serving in office, Savoy co-signed an operating permit for the Le Constellation establishment following renovation works commissioned by its manager.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the fire, focusing on safety compliance, permitting decisions, and emergency response procedures.

The case remains under active judicial review as officials seek to determine accountability for the tragedy.

Swiss Patients Return Home After Treatment Abroad

Following the major fire disaster at the “Le Constellation” bar in Crans-Montana, all Swiss patients who were treated abroad have now safely returned home, according to the Federal Office for Civil Protection.

The blaze, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, resulted in 41 deaths and 115 injuries. In total, 38 injured individuals were transferred to specialised burn units across Europe, including clinics in Belgium, Germany, France, and Italy. Among them, 22 were Swiss residents.

The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) confirmed that a specialised coordination body, known as the Medical Board, managed the international repatriation process and ensured patients received appropriate care abroad before returning to Switzerland.

Most patients have now been transferred to hospitals in western Switzerland as well as the SUVA Clinic Sion for continued treatment close to their homes. Some critically injured patients are still being treated in intensive care units at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University Hospital Zurich (USZ).

Authorities reported that European cooperation played a crucial role in managing the disaster response. Under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, 24 countries offered medical support, specialist burn units, and emergency transport services to assist Switzerland during the crisis.

Swiss officials emphasized that managing mass casualty events involving severe burn injuries requires strong international collaboration. However, Switzerland is not yet part of the EU’s civil protection mechanism, although preparations are underway for possible future participation.

The Federal Office for Civil Protection stated that ongoing cooperation between hospitals across Switzerland helped stabilize patients and also allowed additional burn victims from other incidents to receive treatment.

Authorities confirmed that recovery efforts are still ongoing, but the return of Swiss patients marks a significant milestone in the post-disaster response.