Swiss bar owner put in pre-trial detention over the fatal fire at an Alpine resort

Switzerland observed a national day of mourning on Friday to honor the 40 victims who died in a devastating Alpine bar fire during New Year’s celebrations, as legal proceedings against the establishment’s owners intensified.

Prosecutors in Switzerland’s Valais region requested pre-trial detention for one of the bar’s managers, citing concerns about a “risk of flight.” According to the prosecutor’s statement, the man’s wife, who co-managed the venue, will remain free but under judicial supervision.

Local media identified the detained individual as Jacques Moretti, who, along with his wife Jessica, owns Le Constellation bar in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana, according to Swiss business registers. The couple was questioned by prosecutors in Sion on Friday morning before the detention decision was announced.

The fire, which erupted less than two hours after midnight on January 1, ranks among Switzerland’s deadliest disasters in recent years. Beyond the 40 fatalities, 116 people suffered injuries, many of them severe. Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation against the owners on suspicion of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire.

Across Switzerland, citizens gathered to commemorate the victims. Church bells rang for five minutes beginning at 2 p.m., while people nationwide lit candles and placed flowers at memorial sites. Many followed the official ceremony in Martigny, which was broadcast live on public television.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin addressed the mourners, saying, “The memory of that terrible night illuminates the faces of the 156 victims, their happy days, their carefree spirit.” He added, “Our country is appalled by this tragedy. It bows before the memory of those who are no longer with us. It stands by the bedside of those who are about to embark on a long road to recovery.”

Investigators believe the fire started when sparkling candles on Champagne bottles came too close to the ceiling. Authorities are examining whether the soundproofing material on the ceiling met regulatory standards and if the candles were legally permitted in the establishment. Reports indicate that fire safety inspections at Le Constellation hadn’t been conducted since 2019, raising questions about regulatory oversight in the popular tourist destination.

The severity of burns has complicated victim identification efforts, requiring families to provide DNA samples to assist authorities. Police reports indicate that many victims were young adults and teenagers, with some in their early to mid-20s.

The tragedy has sparked international responses, as several victims were foreign nationals. Six Italians were among the deceased, with autopsies ordered for five of them at prosecutors’ offices in Milan, Bologna, and Genoa, where their remains have been returned.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed outrage during a Friday press conference, stating, “What happened is not a disaster: It’s the result of too many people who didn’t do their job or who thought they were making easy money. Those responsible must be identified and prosecuted.”

Meloni confirmed that Italy’s State Attorney General’s Office has contacted Swiss authorities to follow the investigation. Additionally, the Rome Prosecutor’s Office has initiated a separate probe. “The families have my word that they will not be left alone while they seek justice,” she pledged.

French authorities have also taken action after nine French citizens, including a 14-year-old, perished in the blaze, with 23 others injured. The Paris prosecutor’s office announced on Monday that it was opening an investigation to support the Swiss probe and facilitate communication between French victims’ families and Swiss investigators.

As the investigation continues, questions about fire safety regulations and enforcement in Switzerland’s popular tourist destinations remain at the forefront of national discussions.