Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation after the manager of a bar was allegedly filmed fleeing the burning building with a cash register, while dozens of patrons were trapped inside during a deadly New Year's Day inferno.
Allegations of Negligence and Flight
Jessica Moretti, 40, the co-owner of the Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, is under formal investigation following reports from French and Italian media. Security camera footage is said to show her escaping the blaze with the till, which contained the evening's takings, as the fire spread rapidly through the venue.
Ms Moretti, a French national, and her 49-year-old husband Jacques Moretti, face serious charges including homicide by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. She could also face an additional charge of failing to assist people in danger. It is alleged she ignored the screams of trapped customers as she made her escape, suffering an arm injury in the process.
One of Switzerland's Worst Fire Disasters
The fire, which broke out on 1 January 2026, resulted in one of the worst loss-of-life incidents in modern Swiss history. Forty people, aged between 14 and 39, lost their lives. Among the victims was Brit-educated Charlotte Niddam. A further 119 people were injured.
Preliminary investigations suggest the disaster began when candle sparklers were held too close to the ceiling, igniting highly combustible materials and allowing flames to engulf the building with terrifying speed.
Legal Fallout and Ongoing Probes
Families of the victims have filed legal complaints with Switzerland's prosecutor's office, joining the proceedings as plaintiffs. Their lawyer, Romain Jordan, confirmed the complaints had been accepted, though he did not specify the target.
In the aftermath, the bar's social media accounts were suspended, an action the owners' defence attributes to the ongoing rescue operations. Police are now examining multiple factors, including:
- Renovation work carried out on the premises in 2015 and whether it met safety standards.
- The availability and use of fire extinguishers during the emergency.
- Whether fire exits were accessible and properly used.
The resort town has held memorials for the victims, with firefighters and residents paying silent, emotional tribute to those who could not be saved.
