Overview
- The January 1 blaze at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana killed 40 people and injured 116, according to authorities.
- Prosecutors’ leading hypothesis is that sparklers on champagne bottles ignited sound‑insulation foam in a basement ceiling, with questions outstanding on exits, fire equipment and material standards.
- Families’ lawyers told AFP that routine autopsies were not initially ordered, prompting concerns about lost evidence, delayed burials and possible exhumations, with Italy seeking post-mortems for its six victims.
- Owner Jacques Moretti remains in custody for an initial three months as prosecutors set bail at 200,000 Swiss francs pending a tribunal ruling, while Jessica Moretti is free under restrictions including electronic monitoring and travel limits.
- Victims’ counsel launched an encrypted platform to gather eyewitness files, and the canton announced CHF 10,000 in emergency aid per hospitalized or deceased victim, opened a donations account and banned indoor pyrotechnics.