Tragic New Year’s Eve Fire Claims Lives in Swiss Bar

A devastating fire at a Swiss bar led to the loss of 40 lives on New Year’s Eve, resulting in the arrest of one of its co-owners. The incident occurred at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, a popular ski resort, leaving 116 individuals injured, many of whom were under the age of 20.

The Arrest of Jacques Moretti

Jacques Moretti, a French national and one of the bar’s co-owners, was detained due to concerns that he might attempt to flee. Reports indicate that both he and his wife, Jessica, who co-own the establishment, are under investigation by Swiss authorities.

Safety Concerns and Allegations

Recent investigations have uncovered that the bar had not undergone any safety inspections in the past five years. Prosecutors suspect both Moretti and his wife of several offenses, including:

• Manslaughter due to negligence
• Bodily harm resulting from negligence
• Arson through negligence

According to officials, the fire is believed to have ignited when patrons celebrating the New Year lit sparklers attached to champagne bottles, which then ignited soundproofing material on the ceiling of the basement venue.

National Mourning and Commemoration

In the wake of this tragedy, Switzerland observed a nationwide mourning day, marked by a minute of silence for the victims. Across the country, church bells tolled for five minutes. Public transport, including trains and trams, paused operations, and Zurich airport briefly suspended flights.

At a local memorial service in Crans-Montana, a heartfelt standing ovation was given to the firefighters who responded to the emergency.

Conclusion

The New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation serves as a haunting reminder of the critical importance of safety regulations, particularly in venues filled with young celebrants. As investigations continue, the community grapples with the loss of life and seeks answers to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Key Takeaways

• Forty people died in a fire at Le Constellation bar on New Year’s Eve.
• Co-owner Jacques Moretti has been arrested due to potential flight risk.
• The bar had not passed safety inspections for five years.
• A national day of mourning included a minute of silence and public observances.