Lawyer Urges Wider Criminal Probe After Deadly Swiss Bar Fire

Post by : Saif Nasser

A lawyer representing victims of a deadly fire in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has called for the criminal investigation to be expanded. He says local authorities should also be examined for possible failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.

The fire broke out during a New Year’s Eve party at the “Le Constellation” bar and killed 40 people, most of them teenagers. Another 116 people were injured, many with severe burns. The incident shocked Switzerland and led to a national day of mourning.

Romain Jordan, a lawyer acting for more than 20 victims, said there is no doubt in his mind that the municipality must be included in the investigation. He said prosecutors should question local officials and review all safety documents and correspondence to understand how so many safety systems failed at once.

Jordan said he plans to seek compensation worth several million Swiss francs for each injured victim. For families of those who died, he said claims could reach up to 100,000 Swiss francs per person. Overall, he expects total compensation demands to reach hundreds of millions of francs.

According to prosecutors, the fire likely started when sparking candles ignited soundproof foam on the ceiling of the bar’s basement. As smoke and flames spread, people rushed toward a narrow staircase and exit. The exit became blocked, turning it into a deadly bottleneck, witnesses said.

The mayor of Crans-Montana has admitted that the bar missed several required annual safety checks. He has expressed regret over the failures. However, the mayor’s office has not yet responded to the lawyer’s demand to include the municipality in the criminal probe.

At present, only the French owners of the bar are under investigation. They face possible charges including negligent homicide. The owners have said they are cooperating with authorities and have expressed deep sorrow over the deaths. The husband is currently being held by police.

Jordan strongly criticised the town’s attempt to become a formal party in the case, a request that has not been approved. He described the move as hurtful and insensitive to grieving families.

Many of Jordan’s clients are from Switzerland, France, and Italy. Most of them are still in serious condition, with many in intensive care units across Europe. Some remain in artificial comas or are unresponsive.

The families, Jordan said, feel trapped in a nightmare. What they want most are clear answers about who is responsible and how such a disaster was allowed to happen.

Swiss law allows victims of crimes to receive emergency financial help, but Jordan said this is not enough. He has called for a special state fund to cover long-term medical costs and other expenses until the courts reach a final decision.

As the investigation continues, public pressure is growing for full accountability. Many believe the tragedy exposed serious gaps in safety oversight that must be addressed to prevent such loss of life in the future.