Bar Owner Detained as Switzerland Mourns Fire Victims
Jacques Moretti, the owner of the Le Constellation bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, has been arrested and placed in pre-trial detention following a devastating New Year's Eve fire that killed 40 people and injured more than 100 others. The 49-year-old French national was detained on January 9, 2026, after prosecutors expressed concerns he might flee the country.
Criminal Investigation and Charges
Moretti and his wife Jessica, who co-owned the establishment, face serious criminal charges including 'manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence' according to Swiss authorities. The couple managed the bar together and are now at the center of a major criminal investigation into one of Switzerland's worst tragedies in recent memory.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the incident as 'one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced' during a national day of mourning held on January 9. The decision to detain Moretti came from a judge in the Swiss canton of Valais, where the resort is located.
How the Fire Started
The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. on New Year's Day in the basement of Le Constellation bar, which was packed with revelers celebrating the arrival of 2026. Investigators believe the blaze likely started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles came too close to soundproofing material on the ceiling, causing it to ignite. The fire spread rapidly through the establishment, trapping many inside.
Video footage shows the suspected moment of ignition, with guests holding bottles featuring 'ice fountains' or sparklers that apparently made contact with flammable ceiling materials. The resulting inferno claimed 40 lives, mostly teenagers and young adults, and left 116 people with serious injuries. Many of the injured remain in critical condition, with fears that the death toll could still rise.
Safety Failures and Lack of Inspections
Mayor Féraud of Crans-Montana revealed this week that the bar had not been inspected for fire safety since 2019. The soundproofing mats attached to the ceiling were never tested for fire safety, according to official statements. This revelation has sparked outrage across Switzerland and raised serious questions about regulatory oversight in the popular tourist destination.
'The bar had not undergone annual safety inspections since 2019,' confirmed local officials, highlighting what appears to be a systemic failure in safety enforcement. The tragedy has prompted calls for stricter building codes and more frequent inspections of entertainment venues throughout Switzerland.
National Day of Mourning
Switzerland observed a national day of mourning on January 9, with church bells ringing across the country at 2 p.m. followed by a minute of silence. A memorial ceremony in Martigny was attended by 700 guests including 150 relatives of victims, emergency responders, and political leaders from 37 countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Belgian Prime Minister De Wever were among the international dignitaries who attended memorial services. The victims included citizens from multiple countries, with French, Belgian, and Italian nationals among those killed.
Swiss President Parmelin stated that Switzerland formed 'a single community of mourners' during the emotional ceremonies. Valais President Mathias Reynard emphasized the tragedy's particular impact on young victims and called for collective responsibility in preventing such disasters.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The criminal investigation continues to examine whether proper safety measures were in place and whether the owners took adequate precautions. While Jacques Moretti remains in custody, his wife Jessica Moretti is also under investigation but has not been detained.
The tragedy has prompted widespread calls for accountability and reform. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for stern punishment, stating the tragedy resulted from 'people not doing their jobs properly.'
As Switzerland continues to mourn its dead, the legal proceedings against the bar owners represent the first steps toward justice for the victims and their families. The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for safety regulations in entertainment venues across Europe.