A fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during a New Year's Eve party resulted in 40 fatalities and 116 injuries. Investigations are underway, focusing on the suspected origin of the fire, the bar's safety compliance, and the absence of fire safety inspections at the establishment since 2019. Swiss authorities have initiated a criminal investigation against the bar's management.
Incident Overview
The fire occurred at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Eve, during a party. The incident led to the deaths of 40 individuals and injuries to 116 others. All 40 victims have been identified. Among the fatalities, more than half were teenagers, with ages ranging from 14 to 39. The youngest identified victims included a 14-year-old Swiss girl and a 14-year-old French boy.
Investigation Details
Investigators believe the fire originated from sparkling candles or sparklers placed on Champagne bottles. These are suspected to have made contact with soundproofing material installed on the bar's ceiling. The soundproofing material, described as foam, was reportedly purchased from a DIY store and installed by co-owner Jacques Moretti during renovations in 2015. Moretti stated that tests he conducted indicated these candles were not powerful enough to ignite the foam, a claim made after his detention following the incident.
A criminal investigation has been launched by Swiss authorities. The bar's managers, including co-owners Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti, are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire, also referred to as negligent manslaughter, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson. Jacques Moretti was taken into custody, while Jessica Moretti was released after a hearing.
Safety Inspections and Regulatory Compliance
Local authorities reported that fire safety inspections at Le Constellation bar had not been conducted since 2019. The Crans-Montana municipality confirmed that "periodic checks were not carried out between 2020 and 2025." Nicolas FĂ©raud, head of Crans-Montana's municipal government, acknowledged the lapse and stated that judicial authorities would evaluate its potential influence on the events.
Valais regional regulations mandate annual fire safety inspections for public buildings, with municipalities responsible for these checks. Previous inspections at the bar occurred in 2016, 2018, and 2019, leading to requests for modifications. However, no issues regarding soundproofing measures were documented at those times. Current inspection regulations do not specifically include evaluations of noise cancellation materials on ceilings. An external expert had conducted a soundproofing analysis in September, concluding that the bar met anti-noise requirements.
Bar Structure and Emergency Exits
Reports from previous inspections indicated a maximum capacity of 100 people for the bar's ground floor and 100 for its basement. The exact number of individuals present at the time of the fire remains undetermined. The bar was equipped with two fire exits, deemed sufficient for its stated capacity. However, survivor testimonies and local accounts have raised questions regarding whether the basement fire exit was secured on the night of the fire.
Jacques Moretti informed investigators that a service door was locked from the inside during the fire. He stated that upon his arrival at the scene, he forced the door open and subsequently found multiple people behind it. Concerns have also been raised regarding the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers and the overall compliance of the bar’s exits with safety regulations.
The bar owner received a permit for a veranda in 2015, and interior renovations undertaken at that time did not require an additional permit.
Regarding underage patrons, Moretti stated that the establishment prohibited individuals under 16 years old, and those aged 16 to 18 were required to be accompanied by an adult. He acknowledged giving these instructions to security staff but conceded that a "lapse in protocol" was possible.
Subsequent Actions
Following the incident, the Crans-Montana municipality has implemented a ban on indoor fireworks and pyrotechnics in enclosed spaces. The municipality has also commissioned an external agency to conduct inspections of similar establishments. Another venue operated by the same management team has been closed.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has announced the opening of a probe to assist the ongoing Swiss investigation and streamline communication for the families of French victims with Swiss investigators.