Swiss bar fire solidarity contribution announced
Switzerland has announced a one-off payment of 50,000 Swiss francs for people most severely affected by the New Year bar fire in the ski resort of Crans-Montana.
Reuters reported the governing Federal Council said the so-called solidarity contribution is intended to provide swift financial support and apply in principle to each individual who died and every person who was hospitalised.
Swiss authorities said 115 people were injured in the fire and 41 people died.
Many of those killed were teenagers and many of the victims were foreigners, including several from France and Italy.
Witnesses and prosecutors said the blaze appeared to have been started by the use of sparkling candles that ignited foam soundproofing on the bar’s basement ceiling.
Justice Minister Beat Jans said the federal government would put up 7.8 million francs for 156 individuals most severely affected by the fire.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin said: “The Federal Council shares with the victims and their families the desire for truth and justice.
“We too want to know what happened, why, and how it could have been prevented.”
Payments, funding and talks on compensation
The BBC reported the Federal Council said the 50,000-franc payment will go to each of the 115 injured and the families of the 41 who died.
The BBC said 58 people are still being treated in hospital for severe burns and eight victims were under the age of 16.
The BBC said Parmelin and Beat Jans announced the payout and said it would be in addition to emergency aid of 10,000 francs offered by the canton of Valais.
Reuters reported Valais has pledged 10 million francs to a foundation to support the victims.
Reuters reported the Federal Council said it will convene a roundtable to help victims, insurers and authorities reach out-of-court settlements and aims to contribute up to 20 million francs to such settlements.
Reuters reported the Federal Council said it hoped parliament would quickly expedite drafted legislation to help the victims and aims to allocate 8.5 million francs to help affected cantons cover extraordinary costs.
The BBC reported the federal government is also pledging to provide funding of up to 20 million francs in addition to facilitating talks between victims, officials and insurers to reach amicable compensation agreements.
The BBC reported local authorities acknowledged the bar had not undergone safety checks for five years and said the bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti have been accused of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence.
The BBC reported criminal proceedings have also been brought against the municipality’s head of public safety and a former council fire safety inspector.