Swiss Bar Managers Face Criminal Probe After Deadly Crans-Montana Fire

Two managers of a bar in the Swiss Alps have been placed under criminal investigation after a sudden fire at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana killed at least 40 people early on New Year’s Day, police said. The Valais canton police opened the probe on Friday night on suspicions of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence.

The statement did not detail the evidence or name the managers. Public records identify the bar’s owners as Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who opened Le Constellation in 2015 after renovations. Prosecutors did not clarify whether the couple also served as managers. The Morettis have said they are cooperating with investigators and denied wrongdoing.

"We can neither sleep nor eat; we are all in a terrible state," Mr. Moretti told a local news site. Beatrice Pilloud, the Valais prosecutor general, said investigators believe finger-size fireworks placed on bottles produced sparks that ignited foam insulation on the basement ceiling, triggering the wider blaze.

Many victims were severely burned, complicating identification. Police announced the identification of eight more victims, all Swiss citizens aged 16 to 24, whose bodies have been returned to their families. Only one victim has been publicly named: Emanuele Galeppini. Fire experts, witnesses and a Times analysis indicate the basement’s staircase exit became a deadly choke point.

Key Topics

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