The devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has claimed 40 lives, mostly teenagers and young adults, with 116 injured. The tragedy, one of the worst in recent Swiss history, has sparked anger over safety lapses and a slow investigation.
Authorities say the fire started in the basement after sparklers attached to champagne bottles were held too close to a ceiling clad with soundproofing foam. The bar's owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are under investigation for manslaughter through negligence. Jacques Moretti was arrested on Friday.
Lawyers for the victims' families accuse investigators of moving too slowly, noting that the owners allegedly deactivated their Instagram and Facebook accounts, potentially deleting evidence. The mayor admitted no safety inspections had been conducted since 2019, despite legal requirements.
A national day of mourning was observed on Friday, with a memorial attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The tragedy has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in public venues.
