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4mo ago

Crans-Montana Bar Owners to Face First Questioning as Swiss Probe Intensifies

Investigators now focus on sparkler candles igniting acoustic foam, with questions over years without mandated safety checks.

D’inombrables fleurs rendent hommage aux victimes sur les lieux du drame à Crans-Montana.
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La plupart des blessés de l’incendie de Crans-Montana sont soignés au CHUV de Lausanne, en Suisse, ici le 2 janvier 2026.
Des habitants se recueillent devant le bar Le Constellation, le 5 janvier 2026. En hommage aux victimes de cette tragédie, le vendredi 9 janvier a été décrété jour de deuil national.

Overview

  • Jessica and Jacques Moretti are set to be heard by prosecutors in Sion on Friday morning, their first formal audition since the penal investigation was opened.
  • The couple remains free after the Valais prosecutor cited no concrete flight risk, while victim lawyers seek pretrial detention and warn of potential evidence tampering after the bar’s social pages were taken down.
  • Preliminary findings point to “fontaine” sparkler candles contacting a low ceiling lined with acoustic foam, with probes examining 2015 renovation work, materials, exits and fire suppression.
  • Crans-Montana authorities acknowledged no safety and fire inspections between 2020 and 2025 as the Valais prosecutor assembled a pool of four prosecutors and requested additional resources.
  • France’s Paris prosecutor launched a mirror inquiry to support affected families as Switzerland prepares a national day of mourning Friday with a ceremony in Martigny and nationwide bell-ringing.