Crans-Montana Bar Fire Investigation: Owner Detained Amidst Mourning

As memorial bells tolled across Switzerland, the legal gears began to turn. Just 9 days after the New Year's Eve inferno that claimed 40 young lives, the owner of 'Le Constellation' bar has been taken into custody, shifting the focus from collective grief to a demand for accountability.

Crans-Montana Bar Fire Investigation and Owner Detention

Swiss prosecutors announced on January 9, 2026, that Jacques Moretti, a French national and co-owner of the ill-fated establishment, is being remanded in custody due to a perceived flight risk. He and his wife, Jessica Moretti, face allegations of manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson—all by negligence.

The detention coincided with a national day of mourning. In Martigny, families of the victims were joined by the presidents of France and Italy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a stern message, stating that the tragedy was "the result of too many people who did not do their jobs," and called for a full investigation into why safety protocols failed.

Five Years Without Safety Checks: A Disaster Foretold

Evidence is mounting that the tragedy was preventable. Footage shows a sparkler igniting untested soundproofing foam on the ceiling. Shockingly, local authorities in Crans admitted they hadn't conducted mandatory safety inspections at the bar for five years.

Italy's ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, cited a "long list of safety violations," noting that temperatures inside the basement reached over 1,000 degrees Celsius with blocked emergency exits. He emphasized that the families and the Italian government are resolute in their pursuit of justice.