Switzerland charges former safety councillor as Crans-Montana fire defendants reach 16

Expanding list of suspects

The criminal investigation into the New Year fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana has expanded to include a sixteenth accused person. The Valais Public Prosecutor's Office placed Thibault Beytrison under formal investigation, making him the seventh political official charged in the inquiry. Beytrison held political responsibility for public safety in the Swiss alpine municipality from 2017 to 2020. Prior to his elected mandate, he served as the head of the Crans-Montana Fire and Rescue Service between 2008 and 2014. Prosecutors in Sion scheduled his formal interrogation for 29 September 2026. Beytrison faces charges of manslaughter through negligence, causing bodily harm through negligence, and arson through negligence.

Municipal oversight and inspection lapses

Investigators are focusing on administrative lapses in municipal oversight and the prolonged absence of required safety checks at the venue. Municipal authorities acknowledged following the disaster that no fire or building safety inspections had taken place at Le Constellation since 2019. The prosecution is examining whether local authorities lacked the personnel and material resources necessary to execute statutory safety checks in public establishments. The list of defendants now comprises seven current or former municipal politicians, seven current or former municipal employees, and the two venue operators. Alongside Beytrison, the political figures under investigation include Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Féraud and two former security delegates, Kevin Barras and Patrick Clivaz. Former construction councillor Rose-Marie Clavien, who oversaw municipal building matters from 2017 to 2024, has also been summoned by police for questioning as a person called to give evidence.

Confrontation hearings and procedural calendar

The Valais prosecution has scheduled a series of hearings through late 2026 to question key figures in the case. The bar's French co-owners, Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti, will appear before prosecutors for joint cross-examination hearings on 26 October and 2 December 2026. The couple previously faced simultaneous questioning by the prosecution team on 5 June 2026, after which prosecutors filed an additional charge of forgery against Jessica Moretti. In addition, Jean-Claude Savoy, the former mayor of the merged municipality of Chermignon, is scheduled for questioning on 20 October 2026. Romain Jordan, an attorney representing civil parties, commented on the importance of the upcoming sessions before the prosecutor's office.

These hearings are essential and will allow the lawyers of the civil parties to ask their questions. The victims need answers.

Origin and toll of the New Year blaze

The fire broke out during New Year celebrations at the Le Constellation bar, killing 41 people and injuring 115 others. Most of the victims were adolescents and young adults, including foreign nationals from Italy and France. Preliminary investigative findings indicated that sparks from celebratory fountain candles ignited acoustic foam installed on the ceiling of the basement room. The judicial investigation in Sion is proceeding despite the resignation of one of the three full-time examining prosecutors, who is leaving the office at the end of the year. Under Swiss criminal procedure, investigative interrogations are conducted in the presence of defense counsel, who may submit questions directly during the sessions.