New suspects in the case of the tragedy in Crans-Montana
In Switzerland, the investigation into the fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort has been expanded, and several more suspects have been added. A total of 13 people are now involved in the case. The investigation is gradually expanding to include not only the owners of the establishment but also local officials, and the case is taking on a broader scope. This was reported on Thursday, April 16, by representatives of the prosecutor’s office to Reuters.
Initially, the investigation focused on the French owners of the facility, who are suspected of involuntary manslaughter and other violations related to the tragedy. They were the first to be implicated in the case following the fire, which sparked widespread public outrage.
Subsequently, the circle of suspects was expanded to include current and former local officials who may have been involved in the circumstances of the incident or in overseeing the venue’s safety. “The investigation has been extended to four additional individuals,” according to a statement from the Valais cantonal prosecutor’s office. The names of the new suspects have not yet been disclosed by investigators.
According to prosecutors, the total number of defendants in the case has risen to 13. If found guilty, they could face up to 4.5 years in prison. The investigation is ongoing, and investigators do not rule out further expanding the circle of suspects as new details regarding the circumstances of the fire and the liability of various parties are established.
Additionally, Switzerland will pay a one-time compensation of 50,000 Swiss francs (56,000 U.S. dollars) to the severely injured survivors and the families of those who died in the fire at the bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort.
As a reminder, new suspects have emerged in the investigation into the deadly fire at a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana. The former and current heads of the municipality’s public safety department have joined the already known owners of the establishment. Investigators are examining why the bar continued to operate despite numerous warnings.
In Switzerland, the pretrial detention measure will be changed for the co-owner of a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort, where 40 people died in a fire on New Year’s Eve.
As a reminder, bar owners were summoned in Switzerland following the deadly fire at the Crans-Montana resort.
Switzerland is also easing export regulations for the sale of weapons.
