Co-owner of Le Constellation detained after deadly Crans-Montana bar fire

Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Constellation bar, was arrested and is being held in custody after being questioned by prosecutors in Sion on Friday morning, a source told the Guardian.

Swiss media and AFP reported the detention followed a six-hour hearing, with 24 Heures saying prosecutors decided to detain Moretti because he was considered a flight risk given his French citizenship and “extensive mobility.” Reuters and other outlets also reported the owners were summoned amid growing frustration over the probe.

The arrest comes after a New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana that Swiss authorities say killed 40 people, mostly in their teens and 20s, with the youngest 14; 116 were injured and 83 remain being treated in hospital for severe burns. Jacques and his wife, Jessica, who bought and renovated the bar in 2015, are under investigation for manslaughter through negligence; the couple have denied wrongdoing, said they were “devastated and overwhelmed with grief” and pledged to cooperate with the inquiry.

Prosecutors say the investigation is focusing on the bar’s renovations, fire‑extinguishing systems, escape routes and the number of people inside when the fire began. Swiss leaders marked a national day of mourning, but many factual questions about the causes and safety lapses remain under investigation, and Swiss media continue to report developments as they emerge.

Key Topics

World, Jacques Moretti, Le Constellation, Crans-montana, Sion, Jessica Moretti