A deadly New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has triggered a criminal investigation into its managers, who are now facing charges of negligent homicide and fire negligence — a tragedy that claimed 40 lives and left 119 injured, with investigators pointing to sparklers atop champagne bottles as the likely ignition source.
The Swiss authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into the managers of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, where a fire erupted during a New Year’s Eve party, killing 40 people and injuring 119 others. The pair, Jacques Moretti and his wife Jessica, are now under suspicion for negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and causing fire by negligence, according to police.
The investigation was formally opened on Friday night, though authorities have withheld further details. The blaze broke out around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, in the Alpine resort town, where the bar was packed with revelers celebrating the New Year. The fire quickly spread through the crowded venue, trapping dozens inside. The process of identifying the dead and injured is ongoing, leaving families in agonizing uncertainty.
Investigators believe the fire was ignited by sparklers atop champagne bottles, which were lit despite a municipal ban on fireworks imposed earlier in the week due to dangerously dry conditions. The town’s authorities had warned of an “extremely high” fire risk, citing more than a month without rainfall. The sparklers, positioned near the ceiling, are thought to have ignited combustible materials, triggering the catastrophic blaze.
As of Saturday, the number of identified victims had risen to eight — four Swiss nationals previously identified, plus two women aged 22 and 24, and two men aged 18 and 21. No names have been released to the public out of respect for the families. The Valais Cantonal Police, the Disaster Victim Identification unit, and the Institute of Forensic Medicine are working together to identify all victims, both deceased and injured.
The tragedy has reverberated across borders, with Italian authorities particularly affected. Six young Italians remain missing, including 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, a former pupil of Immanuel College near Watford, who had moved to Switzerland to work as a babysitter in the ski resort. Her family and school have issued urgent appeals for her safe return, calling for the community to “keep them in their thoughts and prayers.”
Co-owners Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti, who took over the bar in 2015, have been interviewed by Swiss authorities. Mr. Moretti, 49, told a Swiss-French media outlet that he and his wife had renovated the bar themselves and insisted they “did not break any safety rules.” He claimed the venue had been inspected “three times in ten years,” but his statement has done little to quell public outrage or legal scrutiny.
Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, described the anguish felt by parents awaiting news of their missing children. Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized the use of sparklers at the venue, calling it “not a responsible choice.” His remarks underscored the broader safety concerns that had been raised by local authorities prior to the disaster.
The incident has sparked a national reckoning in Switzerland over fire safety regulations, particularly in popular tourist destinations. The use of sparklers and other flammable decorations in crowded venues is now under intense scrutiny. Questions remain about whether the bar’s sound-dampening ceiling materials met safety standards and whether the management had properly assessed the fire risk in the dry, high-altitude environment.
While the Morettis maintain they followed all rules, the investigation will likely delve into whether those rules were sufficient — and whether local authorities failed to enforce existing safety protocols. The tragedy has also raised broader questions about the culture of risk-taking in nightlife and tourism, particularly during festive seasons when safety measures are often overlooked in favor of spectacle.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on identifying the missing and providing support to grieving families. The Swiss government has pledged to cooperate fully with international agencies to ensure justice is served. The case will likely serve as a cautionary tale for venues across the country, reminding them that even the most popular spots must prioritize safety over celebration.
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