Prosecutors investigating the deadly new year bar fire that killed 40 people in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana have opened a criminal investigation into a current and a former local council official, according to documents and local media reports. Their lawyer, David Aioutz, said his client would be present at the state prosecutor’s office then. The bar’s French owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who face formal charges of negligent manslaughter, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson, were until now the only suspects under criminal investigation in the tragedy. There was outrage earlier this month when the town’s mayor, Nicolas Féraud, admitted council safety officers had not carried out the obligatory annual safety check of Le Constellation since 2019. Officials for the municipality and the prosecutors’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Source: The Guardian January 29, 2026 17:03 UTC