A Swiss court has released on bail the co-owner of Le Constellation, the Crans-Montana bar where a New Year’s Day fire killed 40 people and injured 116, as investigators probe possible negligent offenses in one of the country’s deadliest recent nightlife disasters.
The Compulsory Measures Court in the canton of Valais said it lifted the detention of Jacques Moretti, 49, after bail of 200,000 Swiss francs (about €215,600) was posted on his behalf. Moretti, a French national who co-owns the venue with his wife, Jessica, 39, must comply with measures designed to mitigate flight risk, including a ban on leaving Switzerland, surrendering his identity and residence documents, and reporting daily to police. The court said the bail was paid by a close friend.
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Moretti and his wife, also French, are under criminal investigation on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Prosecutors in Valais believe the blaze began in the basement level of the bar early on Jan. 1 when partygoers raised champagne bottles with sparklers attached near sound insulation foam affixed to the ceiling. The fire swept through the venue as patrons celebrated the New Year; most of those killed were teenagers.
In a statement, the court stressed that the detention imposed to date “was not intended as a punishment” and noted that the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is pronounced under Swiss law. It added that it had “duly lifted the detention in custody” and ordered “standard measures” to counter any risk of flight.
Authorities have not detailed the status of Jessica Moretti beyond confirming that both co-owners of Le Constellation remain under investigation. No trial date has been set. The Valais public prosecutor’s office continues to gather witness accounts and forensic evidence as it reconstructs the sequence of events inside the bar during the packed New Year celebration.
The fire has jolted the ski resort of Crans-Montana in southern Switzerland and raised urgent questions about safety and compliance standards in nightlife venues, especially in confined basement spaces where dense crowds and decorative or acoustic materials can magnify risk. Investigators’ initial hypothesis underscores longstanding fire-safety warnings about open flames, handheld pyrotechnics and heat sources near flammable foam and textiles.
While the legal process unfolds, the case is likely to sharpen scrutiny of how bars and clubs manage celebratory accessories and special effects during peak holiday events. It also refocuses attention on enforcement regimes in tourist destinations that see seasonal surges in clientele and staff, and on whether operators have up-to-date fireproofing, ventilation and evacuation protocols for high-density gatherings.
Swiss law allows for pretrial detention under strict conditions, but courts routinely reassess whether continued custody is justified when less restrictive measures can reduce risks to the investigation and public. In this case, the court concluded that travel restrictions, document surrender and daily reporting obligations were sufficient pending further prosecutorial action.
Le Constellation remains shuttered as authorities complete their work at the scene. Families of the victims and survivors continue to await answers about how a night of celebration turned catastrophic within minutes on the first morning of 2024.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
