New turning point in the investigation into the New Year’s Eve fire in the Le Constellation club in Crans-Montana (Switzerland), the disaster that cost the lives of 41 people. The Valais Canton Prosecutor’s Office, already in charge of the investigation into the causes of the massacre, has opened a new file on the case. Swiss magistrates want to delve deeper into the management of relief efforts by the Organization cantonale valaisanne des secours (Ocvs). The prosecutors want to understand whether the intervention was timely and adequate, therefore they intend to ascertain any responsibilities of the operators.
Italian lawyers: “Satisfied with this development”
The new judicial chapter was communicated by the lawyers Fabrizio Ventimiglia and Pierluca Degni. Lawyers defend the family of an Italian girl injured in the fire. “The testimonies collected from some of the people who rushed to the scene immediately after the events, as well as the images viewed, raised important questions about the management of the first phases of the emergency”, they explain.
“Should these critical issues be confirmed, their causal relevance with respect to the health conditions of Sofia and the other children would be evident”, declare the lawyers. They conclude: “We are very satisfied with this development, having highlighted from the beginning the need to shed full light not only on the causes of the event, but also on the methods of organisation, timeliness and coordination of the relief efforts”.
Palazzo Chigi: “We are a civil party for the disaster”
While this news was arriving from Switzerland, Rome announced that it had formed a civil party in the investigation into the disaster. “The Presidency of the Council of Ministers, through the State Attorney General, which in turn delegated a Swiss law firm, has filed the act of incorporation of the Italian Republic as a civil party in the criminal proceedings relating to the fire which occurred in Crans-Montana between 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026”, is the note from Palazzo Chigi.
The statement explains that “the decision is motivated by the direct damage caused to the assets of the Italian State due to the huge resources mobilized by the national civil protection service for medical, psychological and logistical assistance to the compatriots involved”.
“From the point of view of responsibility”, continues the note, “the document establishing a civil party highlights how the involvement of the local authorities in the genesis of the event is considered extremely likely, justifying the firm request for compensation against all civilly liable subjects”.
The Italian government, it concludes, “will continue to ensure maximum commitment in monitoring every phase of the judicial proceedings in Switzerland, guaranteeing constant and transparent information on its initiatives and confirming full and uninterrupted support to the families of the victims and the injured, so that full light is shed on the responsibilities and justice is done for the serious damage suffered by the national community”.