A Swiss court has ordered that the co-owner of a bar where a devastating New Year’s Eve fire killed 40 people must remain in custody pending further legal proceedings. The Valais Court of Compulsory Measures ruled on Monday that Jacques Moretti, co-owner and manager of the Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, should be held in preventive detention for an initial period of three months because prosecutors argued he posed a flight risk. The court indicated the detention could be reviewed and possibly lifted if alternative measures such as a security deposit or other guarantees are put in place, but Moretti will remain in custody until those conditions are resolved.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight on January 1 during packed New Year’s Eve celebrations, engulfing the crowded venue in flames and smoke and claiming the lives of 40 people, many of them teenagers and young adults from Switzerland, France and Italy, and injuring more than 100 others, some with serious burns. Prosecutors believe the blaze may have been triggered when sparklers attached to champagne bottles were held too close to highly flammable ceiling material, though investigations into the precise cause and compliance with fire-safety regulations are ongoing.
Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into Jacques Moretti and his wife, Jessica Moretti, who co-owned the bar, on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, bodily harm by negligence and negligent arson. The decision to keep Jacques Moretti in custody follows his initial arrest after being questioned by prosecutors last week. Jessica Moretti has expressed remorse about the tragedy and has pledged full cooperation with investigators, but she remains under judicial supervision.
Public reaction in Switzerland has been one of mourning, shock and calls for accountability. National leaders and local officials have emphasized the need to strengthen safety inspections and oversight of crowded venues, noting that the Le Constellation bar had not undergone mandatory safety inspections for several years prior to the tragedy. Authorities have also banned the use of sparkler candles in indoor venues as part of immediate safety measures while inquiries continue.
As the investigation progresses, prosecutors are expected to build their case around whether safety standards were ignored and whether the owners failed to ensure adequate emergency exits and fire protections. The court’s decision to keep Jacques Moretti in custody underscores the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing efforts to secure evidence and prevent possible flight while legal proceedings unfold.
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