The mayor of the Swiss town of the tragic New Year’s Eve fire in which 41 people died is charged with murder

In addition to the councilor, Nicolás Féraudfour other people have been incorporated into the investigation as accused: the former councilor responsible for Public Safety between 2021 and 2024, the former person responsible for safety in matters of fire protection and his deputy (2020-2024), as well as a member of the current security team.

The five accused must answer for negligent homicidebodily injury due to negligence and arson due to negligence, the same charges brought against the owners of the Le Constellation bar, where one of the worst tragedies experienced in Switzerland in recent decades occurred shortly after midnight on January 1.

The owners of the nightclub, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, both of French nationality, were the first accused and have already participated in several proceedings. The former and current head of security for the municipality of Crans-Montana was also already under investigation.

Of the new defendants, Féraud is the best-known person and has the most responsible position, and since the end of June he was the subject of a criminal complaint by the family of a victim with serious burns. The councilor had recognized failures in safety inspections annual.

Furthermore, the mayor of Crans Montana is remembered for having refused in a live-streamed press conference to apologize to the victims and their families, which attracted much criticism not only in Switzerland, but also in Italy and France, countries that had numerous victims in the fire.

Of the 115 injured, 38 are still hospitalized two months later of the tragedy: 12 in Switzerland and 26 abroad.

As a result of what happened, the Swiss Government has approved a rule that prohibits the use of pyrotechnic devices in all premises open to the public as of April 1 as part of the review of fire regulations.

At Le Constellation, the fire started when the sparks of sparklers attached to a bottle of champagne They ignited the ceiling covered in highly flammable soundproofing foam, from which the fire spread within a minute, investigations have determined.