The co-owners of a Swiss bar where a devastating fire killed 40 people on New Year's Day have been formally detained as the investigation into the tragedy continues.
Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the proprietors of Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire.
Detentions and Charges
Chief prosecutor for the Valais region, Beatrice Pilloud, confirmed the arrests on Friday, 9 January 2026. She stated that a request had been made for Jacques Moretti to be held in pre-trial detention due to a perceived "risk of flight".
His wife, Jessica Moretti, has been placed under house arrest. The couple appeared before the prosecutor's office on Friday morning but did not answer questions from waiting reporters.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of New Year's Day, resulted in 40 fatalities and injured 116 people, with most of the victims reported to be teenagers.
A Nation in Mourning
The developments came as Switzerland observed a national day of mourning for the victims. French President Emmanuel Macron attended a ceremony in Martigny, where victims' families and firefighters carried white roses and observed a minute's silence.
Speaking after her hearing, Jessica Moretti expressed her grief, stating: "My thoughts are constantly with the victims of this unimaginable tragedy that took place in our establishment, and I would like to apologise to all the victims and those who are still struggling today." The couple had previously pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
Inspection Failures and Safety Bans
In the aftermath, the mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, publicly apologised after it was revealed that Le Constellation bar had not undergone a safety inspection since 2019.
"We are profoundly sorry," Mr Feraud told reporters. "We did not have an indication that the checks had not been done."
He explained that inspectors at the time had deemed the bar's soundproofing foam—which is believed to have ignited rapidly—as acceptable. Furthermore, the bar's size meant it was not legally required to have a fire alarm installed.
In response to the disaster, local authorities have taken immediate action, including closing another bar operated by the Morettis and banning all sparkler candles inside venues across the town.
