Swiss Authorities Detain Bar Co‑Owner as Probe Deepens into Crans‑Montana New Year’s Eve Fire

A criminal investigation in Switzerland has intensified following the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation, a popular basement bar in the ski‑resort town of Crans‑Montana. Authorities have detained one of the bar’s French co‑owners, Jacques Moretti, citing a significant risk of flight as prosecutors pursue charges related to the tragedy that killed 40 people and injured 116 others.

📰 Detailed Summary

🇨🇭 Detention of Co‑Owner

Swiss prosecutors ordered the pre‑trial detention of Jacques Moretti, co‑owner of Le Constellation, after a hearing in the regional capital, Sion. Officials stated that detention was necessary to prevent potential evasion of justice.
His wife and business partner, Jessica Moretti, also attended the hearing but was placed under judicial supervision rather than custody.

Both are under investigation for:

• Manslaughter by negligence
• Bodily harm by negligence
• Arson by negligence

The couple has publicly expressed grief and pledged full cooperation with investigators.

🔥 What Happened on New Year’s Eve

The fire erupted shortly after 1:40 a.m. on 1 January 2026, during a crowded New Year celebration. Early findings suggest the blaze began when sparkling candles attached to champagne bottles ignited foam soundproofing on the basement ceiling, causing a rapid flashover that trapped many young patrons.

Key facts:

• 40 fatalities, with an average age of 19
• 116 injured, many with severe burns
• Victims included nationals of Switzerland, France, Italy, and several other countries

Video evidence showed young people breaking windows in desperate attempts to escape the inferno.

🧯 Safety Oversight Under Scrutiny

Municipal authorities admitted that no fire safety inspection had been conducted at the bar since 2019, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight in the resort town.
Local officials acknowledged systemic failures, with some describing a “culture of reckless risk‑taking” in the venue’s operations.

National Mourning and International Response

Switzerland declared a national day of mourning, with ceremonies held in Martigny and across the country. Leaders from Switzerland, France, Italy, and other European nations joined families and first responders in remembrance.

Public tributes included:

• Hundreds of flowers, letters, and teddy bears were placed outside the shuttered bar
• Church bells are ringing nationwide
• A minute of silence was observed across Switzerland

Italian and French leaders called for accountability, with Italy’s Prime Minister urging strong legal consequences for those responsible.

🕊️ Ongoing Investigation

Authorities continue to examine:

• The exact ignition sequence
• Compliance failures by the bar
• Potential responsibility of local political authorities
• Whether negligence contributed to the scale of the tragedy

The Morettis remain central figures in the probe, which aims to determine how a celebratory night turned into one of Switzerland’s worst modern disasters.