Swiss Bar Owner Detained After New Year’s Eve Fire Kills 40 in Ski Resort
Investigation Deepens After Tragedy in Crans-Montana
Swiss prosecutors have detained one of the co-owners of a bar where a devastating fire on New Year’s Eve claimed 40 lives, as authorities intensify a criminal investigation into the incident. The blaze at the Le Constellation bar, a popular venue in the alpine resort of Crans-Montana, also left 116 people injured, many of them teenagers.
Prosecutors in the canton of Valais said Jacques Moretti, a French national who co-owns the bar with his wife Jessica, was taken into custody because he was considered a potential flight risk. Both owners are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence. Under Swiss law, suspects may be held while a court decides within 48 hours whether detention should continue.
Owners Questioned as Criminal Case Advances
The decision to detain Moretti followed hours of questioning by prosecutors in the town of Sion, where the couple were summoned as part of a widening inquiry. Swiss authorities confirmed that both Jacques and Jessica Moretti had previously been placed under formal criminal investigation.
Outside the prosecutor’s office, Jessica Moretti addressed reporters briefly, expressing sympathy for the victims and their families. She said her thoughts were with those who lost their lives and with those still receiving treatment. She described the fire as an unimaginable tragedy and offered an apology, acknowledging that it occurred at their establishment.
Earlier, the couple said they were devastated by the loss of life and pledged full cooperation with investigators as they worked to establish the sequence of events and assess responsibility.
Cause of the Fire Under Scrutiny
Investigators believe the fire began in the basement bar during New Year’s celebrations when champagne bottles fitted with sparklers were lifted too close to the ceiling. Prosecutors said the sparks likely ignited sound-insulating foam, causing flames to spread rapidly through the crowded venue.
The speed of the fire left many patrons with little time to escape. Officials said numerous victims suffered severe burns, and several remain in critical condition. Patients have been transferred to specialist burn units in Switzerland and other European countries for treatment.
Safety Oversight Questions Emerge
Public concern has grown following revelations that the bar had not undergone a formal safety inspection for five years. Swiss regulations typically require annual checks for venues hosting large numbers of people. The lapse has raised questions about oversight at the municipal level.
Representatives for some of the victims’ families have criticised what they described as serious shortcomings in safety enforcement. Lawyer Romain Jordan, who is advising several families, said the scale of the failures warranted urgent examination of whether local authorities should also face investigation.
Crans-Montana’s mayor, Nicolas Feraud, said he could not explain why inspections had not been carried out as required. He acknowledged the seriousness of the failure and said the municipality accepted responsibility. The mayor also announced that sparklers would be banned from venues in the resort as an immediate safety measure.
National Mourning and Community Response
Switzerland marked a national day of mourning to honour those who died in the fire. A minute’s silence was observed across the country, followed by the ringing of church bells for five minutes. Public transport services briefly paused, and Zurich airport temporarily halted operations as a sign of respect.
In Crans-Montana, residents gathered for a local commemoration, where firefighters and emergency responders received a standing ovation for their efforts on the night of the disaster. Many in attendance described scenes of panic and confusion as rescuers worked to evacuate survivors from the smoke-filled building.
Young Victims and Ongoing Funerals
Authorities confirmed that most of the victims were young people, with eight under the age of 16. The scale of the loss has had a profound impact on families and communities across Switzerland and neighbouring countries, as many visitors were in the resort for holiday celebrations.
Funerals for some of those who died have already taken place, while others are scheduled in the coming days. Officials said the process of supporting victims’ families and recovering from the tragedy would take considerable time.
As the investigation continues, prosecutors have said their focus remains on establishing accountability and preventing similar incidents in the future.