A Swiss court has ordered that the co-owner of a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana that caught fire on New Year’s Day, killing 40 people, must remain in custody as the criminal investigation proceeds.
In a statement, the court said Jacques Moretti will be held for a provisional period of three months. The order can be reviewed if measures are taken to reduce the risk of flight, including the possibility of a security deposit.
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Prosecutors in the Valais canton initially ordered Moretti’s detention on Friday after a lengthy hearing with him and his wife, Jessica, pending the court’s determination on whether continued custody was warranted. The court’s decision keeps him jailed for now but leaves open the prospect of his release if conditions set by the judges are satisfied.
Jessica Moretti said the ruling would allow her husband to regain his freedom once those conditions are met. The couple has expressed their grief over the tragedy and said they will cooperate fully with the inquiry.
The Morettis are under criminal investigation for manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence. In Switzerland, the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is pronounced.
Initial findings suggest the fire began when sparklers ignited soundproofing foam installed on the ceiling of the bar’s basement, according to authorities. Investigators are also looking into the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers and whether the venue’s exits complied with safety regulations.
The blaze, which broke out as holiday revelers gathered in the Alpine resort for New Year’s celebrations, was among the deadliest Switzerland has seen in recent years. A memorial to the victims has been established in Crans-Montana as the community mourns and families await answers.
While prosecutors’ work continues, the court’s custody order signals a focus on potential negligence in the bar’s operations and safety compliance. The review conditions outlined by the judges—centered on mitigating flight risk, potentially through a security deposit—underscore the case’s sensitivity and the need to balance due process with public concern after a mass-casualty event.
Authorities have not released further details about the bar’s safety protocols or specific deficiencies under examination. Questions raised by investigators and the public alike include how combustible materials were used inside the venue, whether fire suppression equipment was readily accessible and functional, and if emergency exits were sufficient and clearly marked for a packed basement on a busy holiday night.
Officials have urged patience as forensic teams reconstruct the sequence of events and interview witnesses. The findings will shape any eventual charges and could influence broader discussions about fire safety standards in entertainment venues across Switzerland, particularly during high-traffic winter tourism periods in ski resorts such as Crans-Montana.
For the victims’ families, the court’s decision is one step in a longer process. The legal case is expected to unfold in the coming months as investigators finalize reports and prosecutors determine how to proceed. Until then, Moretti remains in custody under the court’s provisional order, and the community continues to honor those who died while awaiting a fuller accounting of what went wrong.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
