Yesterday’s press conference turned into a worst-case scenario for the municipal authorities of Crans-Montana. With 40 dead and over 100 young people scarred for life, some with severe burns, it is obvious that the bar operators and the authorities responsible have failed. Hiding behind legal technicalities at a press conference as municipal officials must seem like a mockery to the victims’ families.
I would have expected the following:
- TAKE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY & INITIATE AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION
Yes, our control system failed. At this point in time, we do not yet know why the bar “Le Constellation” was last inspected in 2019 and why not annually. For our part, we have therefore initiated an independent investigation into, among other things, the procedures/responsibilities within the municipality of Grans-Montana. - SPECIFY IMMEDIATE MEASURES
What measures will be implemented immediately to ensure that selective follow-up inspections are carried out starting today? In which establishments will these take place (prioritized according to the greatest potential risk/probability of occurrence based on initial findings)? By when and to what extent will these be carried out? - MENTION MEDIUM-TERM MEASURES
What plans does the municipality have beyond the legal requirements to prevent such fire disasters in the future?
It would have been extremely important to stand up and take moral responsibility—the courts will be responsible for assessing legal responsibility at a later date.
Standing up and taking moral responsibility would have been extremely important—the courts will later be responsible for assessing legal responsibility.
