A devastating New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana has revealed shocking regulatory failures, with local officials admitting the establishment hadn’t undergone mandatory safety inspections for five years. The tragedy claimed 40 lives and left 116 injured, many with severe burns requiring specialized treatment across European medical facilities.
Prosecutors investigating the incident determined the blaze originated when champagne bottles adorned with sparklers ignited sound-insulating foam ceiling materials. The bar’s managers, French nationals Jacques and Jessica Moretti, now face criminal investigation for suspected manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. In their first public statement since the disaster, the couple expressed being ‘devastated’ and promised ‘full co-operation’ with ongoing investigations.
Legal representatives for victims’ families have demanded greater accountability, with attorney Romain Jordan noting the ‘staggering number of breaches and shortcomings in inspections raises the question of whether the municipality should be investigated with even greater urgency.’ The victims included eight children under age 16, one of whom, Ricardo Minghetti, was laid to rest during funeral services this week.
Mayor Nicolas Feraud acknowledged the inspection failure without providing explanation, stating ‘We regret that – we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility.’ In response to the tragedy, local authorities have implemented an immediate ban on sparklers in all entertainment venues. The case highlights challenges in Switzerland’s decentralized regulatory system where federal safety standards are implemented at municipal levels across 2,131 communes.