The investigation into the tragic fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, which resulted in 41 deaths and over 100 injuries on New Year’s Eve 2025, remains stalled by missing official documentation. Prosecutors are currently unable to access key records from 2015 regarding the building’s renovation, a period when the bar was converted and combustible acoustic foam was installed. Jean-Claude Savoy, the former president of the municipality of Chermignon, has been interrogated as a suspect but maintains that he handed over all relevant files and his service computer to the municipal clerk upon his departure in 2016.
Missing Documentation and Administrative Questions
The absence of the 2015 records has created a significant hurdle for the ongoing criminal investigation. Jean-Claude Savoy, 69, stated he received a receipt for the transfer of all files to the municipal administration in December 2016. However, the whereabouts of these documents following subsequent municipal mergers remain unclear, and the municipal clerk involved in the original handover is deceased. It remains unconfirmed whether current municipal president Nicolas Féraud, 55, possesses the files or if the public prosecutor’s office has formally requested them. Both parties have declined to comment on the matter.
Did You Know?
On April 5, 2016, Jean-Claude Savoy signed a document confirming the municipal council’s approval for extended opening hours at the Le Constellation bar, explicitly noting that “significant sound insulation work” had been performed during the establishment’s renovation.
Operational Risks and Allegations of Negligence
The core of the investigation focuses on how the bar was permitted to operate after the 2015 renovations. Investigators are examining whether authorities conducted a sufficient risk analysis regarding the installation of flammable acoustic foam by the then-tenant, Jacques Moretti, 49. Concerns have also been raised regarding alterations to fire escape routes and the narrowing of the staircase. While victim attorneys have requested house searches of the municipal administration and the residences of several employees, no such searches have been executed to date.
Upcoming Judicial Steps
The legal process continues with further hearings scheduled for those involved. Jean-Claude Savoy is expected to be summoned for additional questioning. Prior to that, Julien Beytrison, 64, is scheduled to testify on Tuesday; Beytrison served as the owner of the Le Constellation building at the time of the 2015 renovations before selling the property to the Morettis in 2022. All individuals involved in the case currently benefit from the presumption of innocence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary obstacle in the current investigation?
The investigation is hindered by missing official municipal records from 2015 that detail the renovation of the Le Constellation bar.
Who is currently under investigation regarding the bar’s renovation?
Former municipal president Jean-Claude Savoy is among those officially listed as a suspect in the ongoing investigation.
Were authorities aware of the materials used in the bar?
Yes, records from April 2016 show that the municipal council was aware of significant sound insulation work being carried out at the establishment when they approved extended operating hours.
How might the lack of administrative documentation affect the legal outcome for those involved in the building’s approval process?
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