Co-owner of Swiss ski resort bar held in custody after deadly New Year party fire
Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has been taken into custody by prosecutors as part of an investigation into the fatal fire that occurred at the venue during a New Year's Eve celebration. The fire killed 40 people and injured many more.
Moretti was questioned by prosecutors on Friday after his wife, Jessica, also co-owner of the bar, had already been held in judicial supervision. The couple faces charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
The investigation into the fire has revealed that a faulty electrical installation and inadequate safety measures were among the factors that contributed to the tragedy. Authorities have confirmed that an igloo-like tarpaulin now covers the makeshift memorial outside Le Constellation bar, erected by friends and family of the victims.
As Switzerland marks a national day of mourning for the dozens who died in the fire, many people gathered at the congress center in Crans-Montana to pay their respects. The ceremony, which was live-streamed on giant screens, featured leaders from several European countries and saw around 1,400 mourners paying tribute to the victims.
Among them was Azeddine Mekrabech, a 30-year-old man who had traveled from Lyon to attend the service. He told AFP that he wanted to honor the victims, saying "I'm someone who likes to party quite a bit... I thought, I could have been at a party without paying attention and been trapped like that."
Giant screens were set up around the town, showing footage of the ceremony, while candles and flowers adorned the site outside Le Constellation bar.
As the investigation into the fire continues, authorities are working to determine whether any specific safety breaches or negligence contributed to the tragedy.
Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has been taken into custody by prosecutors as part of an investigation into the fatal fire that occurred at the venue during a New Year's Eve celebration. The fire killed 40 people and injured many more.
Moretti was questioned by prosecutors on Friday after his wife, Jessica, also co-owner of the bar, had already been held in judicial supervision. The couple faces charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
The investigation into the fire has revealed that a faulty electrical installation and inadequate safety measures were among the factors that contributed to the tragedy. Authorities have confirmed that an igloo-like tarpaulin now covers the makeshift memorial outside Le Constellation bar, erected by friends and family of the victims.
As Switzerland marks a national day of mourning for the dozens who died in the fire, many people gathered at the congress center in Crans-Montana to pay their respects. The ceremony, which was live-streamed on giant screens, featured leaders from several European countries and saw around 1,400 mourners paying tribute to the victims.
Among them was Azeddine Mekrabech, a 30-year-old man who had traveled from Lyon to attend the service. He told AFP that he wanted to honor the victims, saying "I'm someone who likes to party quite a bit... I thought, I could have been at a party without paying attention and been trapped like that."
Giant screens were set up around the town, showing footage of the ceremony, while candles and flowers adorned the site outside Le Constellation bar.
As the investigation into the fire continues, authorities are working to determine whether any specific safety breaches or negligence contributed to the tragedy.
This is just heartbreaking, you know? I mean 40 people lost their lives in such a tragic accident... it's just not right. As someone who's lived through a few New Year's parties in my time, I've always been careful and made sure to stay safe, but I guess that wasn't the case here.
It's just so senseless.
that's so sad what happened at the ski resort bar 
40 people died and many more were hurt it's just crazy how a faulty electrical installation can cause something like this 
i feel bad for all the friends and family who lost loved ones 
u gotta wonder what happened there was a faulty electrical installation and all 
maybe they were just having too good of a time and didn't bother with basic safety stuff? 
idk, i'm no expert but it's clear they gotta take responsibility for this tragedy 
wanna see how the investigation goes... might be a wild ride 
talk about negligence, right? faulty electrical installation and inadequate safety measures... how could that happen? 
anyway, I hope they get to the bottom of this investigation and justice is served 
meanwhile, it's a sad day for Switzerland and a national day of mourning seems like a great way to honor those who lost their lives 
it's so sad... i think the owners shouldve taken more precautions with the electrical installation lol who leaves a faulty system alone? 
. I don't think either Jacques or Jessica Moretti deserves to be held accountable for manslaughter by negligence, though - accidents happen, right?