The police in Switzerland have launched a criminal investigation into the running of the bar where the tragic incident of fire claimed the lives of at least 40 people and left 119 seriously injured during the celebration to ring in the new year in the Alpine resort of Crans–Montana in the region of Valais. The incident followed weeks of intensive rescue operations to unravel the causes of the tragedy.
The deadly fire outbreak occurred in the wee hours of January 1, 2026, at Le Constellation, a crowded bar and lounge that was fully packed as it celebrated an NYE party. The dancing floor of the establishment, which is located in the basement level, where a considerable number of persons, including minors and youths, were dancing, suddenly caught fire at 1:30 a.m. of that morning. In a matter of minutes, the fire rapidly and intensely spread, leaving inside helpless persons trapped in the fire.
Cause and Initial Findings
According to preliminary reports emerging, the ignition of the fire might be due to either the sparklers, which are termed as ‘fountain candles’ and fixed on champagne bottles, that were being brought out in this particular bar. The authorities are of the view that it might come into contact with a flammable substance that can be found in the low ceiling of the said bar, which might be foam or might be used as a sound-reducing material.
Beatrice Pilloud, the chief prosecutor in the Valais region, told a journalistic outlet that they also investigated other safety-related matters connected with fires, which included “whether the insulation materials used adhered to safety norms, accessibility of firefighting equipment, number of operational emergency exits, and whether the maximum number of occupants had been respected.”
Footage of the event posted on the social networking website Facebook shows that there were sparks coming out from the ceiling moments after the lighters had been lit.
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Criminal Investigation and Charges
On January 2, a criminal investigation was initiated by the prosecutors in the Canton of Valais in a charge of negligent homicide (manslaughter), negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson against the two administrators of the skiing station Le Constellation, Jacques Moretti, a French citizen, and his wife Jessica. The Swiss police and prosecution explain that a criminal investigation has been initiated against the two with the/public Prosecutor’s Office of the Canton of Valais, that they are not under arrest, and that they enjoy the presumption of innocence.
However, it has been made clear that the criminal inquiry is to investigate whether there was a violation of fir safety norms and whether negligence in the design, management, or fir safety measures was the cause for this unfortunate incident. If reports are to be taken into consideration, it can be said that there have only been three checks on the bar in 10 years.
Victims and Identification
The aftermath of this situation is terrible, with families and communities affected. Most of the victims had serious cases of burning and inhalations, and that made the identification process not to be carried out easily. The Valais Police confirmed through identification that among the bodies which had been identified included two females aged 21 and 16 from Switzerland, as well as two men aged 18 and 16.
Body identification and the treatment of the injured are also being assisted by representatives from Switzerland, France, Italy, and other European countries. The medical teams have moved the severely burned survivors to burn centers outside Valais, while the families were asked for a DNA sample for identification purposes.
Public Reaction and General Implications
This tragedy has sent shockwaves across Switzerland, because this event also sparked public debates concerning the issue of fire protection in entertainment facilities, primarily in summer months when the tourist season is at its peak. Swiss Minister of Justice Beat Jans described this tragedy as an “enormous tragedy,” aware that the temperatures within the fire were estimated to reach 500-600 °C, 1,100-2,100 °F.
Tributes of flowers and candles have appeared outside the bar, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the tragedy as “one of the worst tragedies in the past years in Switzerland.” Amid the criminal investigation, the need to get to the bottom of things and ensure accountability in case it was negligence, as well as a review of the measures in place to prevent a tragedy like the one witnessed.
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