Swiss authorities have taken Jacques Moretti, French co-owner of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, into custody following a devastating New Year’s Eve fire that claimed 40 lives and injured 116 others. Prosecutors cited flight risk concerns as they pursue charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence against both Jacques and his wife Jessica Moretti.
The tragedy, which primarily affected victims under 20 years old, is believed to have originated from New Year’s celebrations where champagne bottles equipped with sparklers were raised too close to the ceiling, igniting sound-insulating foam. The incident has revealed alarming safety oversight, as the popular ski resort establishment had not undergone mandatory safety inspections for five years despite requirements for annual checks.
During Friday questioning with prosecutors in Sion, Valais canton, Jessica Moretti expressed profound remorse to victims and their families, describing the event as “an unthinkable tragedy.” The couple had previously pledged full cooperation with the investigation while expressing their devastated state.
The nation observed a day of mourning on Friday with minute-long silences, halted transportation systems, and extended church bell ringing. Local commemorations in Crans-Montana featured standing ovations for firefighters who responded to the catastrophic blaze.
Growing scrutiny now extends to municipal authorities, with victim representatives highlighting “staggering number of breaches and shortcomings in the inspections.” Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud acknowledged regulatory failures and announced plans to ban sparklers in local venues while accepting responsibility for the oversight.
Medical facilities across Switzerland and neighboring European countries continue to treat numerous victims suffering severe burns. Funeral services for deceased victims are ongoing as the community grapples with one of Switzerland’s deadliest nightlife disasters in recent history.