The French couple who owned the bar at the centre of a devastating fire in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana are due to be questioned again by prosecutors, as the investigation into the tragedy that killed 41 people continues.
Jacques and Jessica Moretti face charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. The blaze engulfed Le Constellation bar in the early hours of 1 January 2026, during New Year celebrations. Most of the victims were teenagers; seventeen were aged 16 or under. A further 115 people were injured.
The cross-examination, taking place in Sion, the capital of the Wallis canton, is the third time the Morettis have been questioned since the criminal investigation was opened days after the fire. A hearing scheduled for 7 April was postponed on medical grounds for Jacques Moretti, who spent two weeks in custody in January before being released on bail. Both he and his wife are barred from leaving Switzerland and subject to other restrictive measures.
Demands for the Full Truth
Romain Jordan, a lawyer representing civil parties, said the format of the cross-examination is at the discretion of the prosecutors. “I believe they have evidence that they wish to submit to both of them, first and foremost,” Jordan said. “Our expectation remains the same: to get answers, to know the truth and all the responsibilities, so that this can never happen again. This hearing is the last opportunity offered to the Morettis to tell the truth, the whole truth; the victims need this, for their grieving process and for their recovery.”
Prosecutors believe the fire started when champagne bottles with sparklers attached were raised too close to the ceiling in the bar’s basement level, igniting sound-insulation foam. The investigation is also examining the local authority’s actions, the fire prevention measures put in place by the owners, and the exact sequence of events leading to the inferno. No annual municipal safety checks had been carried out at the bar since 2019.
In total, 14 people are under criminal investigation in connection with the disaster, including several current and former local officials. The case has drawn attention to safety oversight in Swiss alpine resorts, where seasonal businesses often operate under pressure during peak tourist periods. The tragedy has also sparked broader discussions about fire safety regulations in nightlife venues across Europe, with some countries reviewing their own enforcement practices.
The Morettis’ legal team has not commented publicly on the charges. The couple, originally from France, have been living in Switzerland for several years. The hearings in Sion are expected to continue over several days, with prosecutors aiming to conclude the investigation in the coming months.
