Criminal charges brought against rescue workers after fire in Crans-Montana
Keystone-SDA
A criminal complaint has been filed against rescue workers who responded to the fire disaster in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Eve.
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The complaint was filed by victims’ lawyers, the canton Valais public prosecutor’s office informed the Keystone-SDA news agency. This confirmed previous reports in the Italian and Swiss media.
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In an interview with Swiss public broadcaster RTS, Italian lawyer Fabrizio Ventimiglia explained that there were shortcomings in the care of the injured immediately after the fire.
“There was a lack of stretchers, but above all a lack of rescue blankets and oxygen cylinders. These were essential so that all the injured could breathe immediately,” he said.
According to information from RTS, the public prosecutor’s office intends to open a criminal investigation into the rescue measures. This will run parallel to the main investigation, in which 13 people have already been charged.
In a statement, the Cantonal Valais Rescue Organisation expressed its “surprise” at the accusations levelled against its operations. “The teams deployed on site always consist of qualified specialists who are specially trained to deal with emergencies involving multiple casualties,” it said.
The fire in Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve claimed the lives of 41 people and injured 115 others.
Translated from German by AI/mga
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