On the first day of 2026, tragedy struck the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana when a fire tore through Le Constellation, a popular bar, killing 40 people and injuring 116 more. The incident, which occurred just after 1:30 a.m. during New Year’s celebrations, has since gripped Switzerland and reverberated across Europe, prompting national mourning, criminal investigations, and a reckoning over safety standards in public venues.
According to Swiss prosecutors, Jacques Moretti, the 49-year-old French co-owner of Le Constellation, was detained on January 9 in Sion, the capital of the Valais canton, following an interview with authorities. His wife and business partner, Jessica Moretti, was also questioned but was not detained. The prosecutor’s office explained that Jacques Moretti was considered a potential flight risk, and under Swiss law, such suspects may be held in custody until a court decision, typically within 48 hours. The couple now faces charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence, as reported by BBC and AFP.
The fire’s devastation was swift and overwhelming. Many of the victims were young—eight were under 16, and the average age of those killed was just 19. Survivors and witnesses described scenes of chaos as partygoers scrambled to escape the flames. Footage from the night, obtained by Swiss broadcaster RTS, showed crowds fleeing as the basement bar became engulfed. Authorities believe the blaze was likely caused by sparklers or sparkling candles attached to champagne bottles that ignited sound-insulating foam on the ceiling. The Cantonal Police of Valais stated that, while the exact cause remains under investigation, this hypothesis is currently the most plausible based on the evidence gathered so far.
Jessica Moretti, who was present in the bar and suffered burns to her arm, spoke briefly to reporters after her meeting with prosecutors. “My constant thoughts go to the victims and those who are fighting today. This was an unthinkable tragedy and never could we have imagined this. It happened in our bar and I want to say I’m sorry,” she said, as quoted by BBC. The couple had previously pledged their full cooperation with the ongoing investigation, describing themselves as “devastated.”
As the investigation unfolds, scrutiny has turned to the safety practices at Le Constellation and the oversight of local authorities. It emerged in the days following the fire that the bar had not undergone a safety inspection in the five years preceding the tragedy, despite regulations requiring annual checks. Crans-Montana’s mayor, Nicolas Féraud, expressed deep regret over this lapse, telling reporters, “We regret that—we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility.” He also announced an immediate ban on sparklers in local venues, a move intended to prevent similar disasters in the future.
The lack of inspections has prompted outrage among victims’ families and the broader public. Romain Jordan, a lawyer representing some of the bereaved families, told BBC that the “staggering number of breaches and shortcomings in the inspections raises the question of whether the municipality should be investigated with even greater urgency.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed these sentiments, calling for stern punishment for those responsible. “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,” she said during a press conference. Italian authorities have since opened their own investigation, alleging manslaughter and arson, as several Italian citizens were among the dead.
For many, the tragedy feels deeply personal—even for those who didn’t lose loved ones. On January 9, Switzerland observed a national day of mourning. Across the country, church bells rang for five minutes, trains and trams paused, and Zurich airport briefly halted operations. In Crans-Montana, a local commemoration included a standing ovation for firefighters, who had battled the inferno and rescued dozens from the burning building. At the town’s congress center, around 1,400 people gathered to watch a memorial service, joined by several European heads of state whose citizens were among the victims. Outside Le Constellation, a makeshift memorial of flowers, teddy bears, and candles grew, protected from the snow by a tarpaulin. Azeddine Mekrabech, who traveled from Lyon, France, brought 40 white roses—one for each victim. “I could have been at a party without paying attention and been trapped like that,” he reflected to AFP.
The emotional toll has been immense. Many of the injured remain hospitalized in Switzerland and other European countries, some with severe burns. Funerals for the victims have begun, and families continue to seek answers about how such a tragedy could occur. “This is a terrible thing, but it was avoidable,” said Federico Gelle, a 17-year-old from Tuscany who attended the memorial. “If I had chosen to spend New Year’s Eve in Crans-Montana, as I had in the past, I might very well have been among the victims.”
Authorities are also investigating whether the soundproofing material on the ceiling of Le Constellation’s basement met safety regulations and whether the use of sparklers or sparkling candles was permitted. The municipal chief of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Féraud, acknowledged a culture of “reckless risk-taking” at the bar, telling reporters, “This endangered customers and staff.” He confirmed that an emergency exit existed in the basement, but its status—whether open or blocked—remains unclear.
The tragedy has sparked broader questions about public safety and regulatory enforcement in Switzerland’s hospitality sector. “Venues like Le Constellation should have been checked annually,” Mayor Féraud admitted. “We are deeply sorry. We had no indication that the checks had not been done as requested.” The revelations have shocked the community and prompted calls for sweeping reforms to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As Switzerland mourns its loss, the investigation continues in both Switzerland and Italy. The Morettis, now at the center of a high-profile legal case, await the next steps in the judicial process. For the families of the victims and the broader community, the hope is that answers—and accountability—will follow, ensuring that such a tragedy is never repeated.
