MEP Urges Brussels to Join Crans-Montana Tragedy Trial

Member of the European Parliament Tovaglieri has called for the European Union to act as a civil party in the legal proceedings following the fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Describing the event as a European tragedy, the MEP requested that Brussels formally join the trial.

The request follows a disaster on January 1, 2026, when a fire devastated the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana. The inferno resulted in the deaths of 41 people, including 20 minors and left 116 others injured, some of them seriously.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Investigations into the cause of the fire revealed that sparklers were apparently responsible for igniting the blaze. These findings led to the opening of criminal proceedings against the operators of the establishment and other responsible parties.

Jessica Moretti, a co-manager of the bar, has been subject to replacement measures. A Swiss court ruled that while Moretti is barred from leaving Switzerland, she will not be held in custody before the trial begins.

The scale of the event was described by State Councillor Stéphane Ganzer as unprecedented in the canton of Valais. In the immediate aftermath, the Swiss government declared national mourning, and flags at the Federal Palace in Bern were flown at half-mast for five days starting January 2, 2026.

European Union Response and Support

The European Union has provided both operational and diplomatic support since the tragedy. On January 3, 2026, the EU expressed full solidarity with the victims, many of whom were young people.

Following a request for assistance from Switzerland, the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) coordinated the medical evacuation of 38 patients to Italy, France, Germany, and Belgium. Transport for these patients was provided by Switzerland, Italy, France, Romania, and Luxembourg.

Additional support included the deployment of two ERCC liaison officers to the ground and specialized medical teams from Italy and France to assist Swiss hospitals with clinical assessments and treatment decisions. Germany and Austria also provided specialized medical blades as in-kind assistance.

On January 9, 2026, Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib attended an official national commemoration ceremony in Martigny. The event brought together international partners, Swiss federal and cantonal authorities, and representatives from the countries affected by the tragedy to observe a nationwide minute of silence.

The push by MEP Tovaglieri for the EU to become a civil party in the trial seeks to elevate the Union’s role from providing operational aid to participating in the judicial pursuit of accountability for the disaster.