GENEVA, Switzerland – The co-owner of a Swiss bar that erupted in flames during New Year celebrations, killing 40 people and injuring 116, has been ordered into preventive detention for three months, a regional court announced Monday.
Jacques Moretti was taken into custody after he and his wife Jessica, who co-owned Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, were questioned by prosecutors in Switzerland’s southwestern Wallis canton on Friday. Most of the victims were teenagers.
The devastating fire broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Day, when the basement bar was packed with partygoers celebrating. Two days later, public prosecutors announced that the Morettis faced criminal charges including manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence.
The Wallis Cantonal Court of Compulsory Measures said it ordered Moretti’s detention “due to the existence of a flight risk,” but indicated it would consider lifting the order if he posts a security deposit and meets other conditions set by prosecutors.
Jessica Moretti remains free. Prosecutors said Friday that “given her background and personal ties,” alternative measures would adequately address flight risk concerns.
Investigation reveals safety failures
Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by sparklers igniting soundproofing foam installed on the basement ceiling. Investigators are examining whether fire extinguishers were present and accessible, and if emergency exits complied with safety regulations.
During questioning after the tragedy, Jacques Moretti told investigators he discovered a service door had been locked from the inside. When he arrived at the scene, he forced it open and found several people lying behind the door, according to police reports published by French and Swiss media.
Last week, Crans-Montana authorities acknowledged no fire safety inspections had been conducted at Le Constellation since 2019, sparking public outrage.
Families demand justice
Lawyers representing victims’ families have criticised the proceedings and demanded both owners be detained from the start.
“The father of a child burned alive told me: ‘He died as if in a war, so now it’s war,’” said Sebastien Fanti, representing four victim families. His clients were “very imperfectly satisfied with the preventive detention of just one manager.”
Romain Jordan, representing several other families, expressed concern about “the risk of evidence being destroyed or altered, and testimonies being influenced or tainted.”
Wallis president Mathias Reynard said Sunday that 80 people remain hospitalised in Switzerland and abroad.
The public prosecutor’s office will decide whether to issue an indictment for trial or close the case pending the ongoing investigation. Until then, the presumption of innocence prevails.
ALSO READ: New Year’s fire kills 40 at Swiss resort as investigators race to identify victims
