{"id":31109,"date":"2026-01-12T16:11:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T16:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/un-news.org\/detention-of-swiss-ski-bar-owner-extended-over-fatal-criminal-fire\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T16:11:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T16:11:58","slug":"detention-of-swiss-ski-bar-owner-extended-over-fatal-criminal-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/un-news.org\/en\/detention-of-swiss-ski-bar-owner-extended-over-fatal-criminal-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Detention of Swiss ski bar owner extended over fatal criminal fire."},"content":{"rendered":"
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A court in Switzerland has determined that one of the co-owners of the ski bar where a fire killed 40 people on New Year’s Eve will be detained for 90 days.<\/p>\n

Swiss prosecutors allege that Jacques Moretti, a French citizen, poses a flight risk. He and his wife Jessica, also French, face charges of negligent homicide, negligent causing of bodily harm, and negligent property damage.<\/p>\n

The fire broke out at the “Le Constellation” restaurant located in Crans-Montana and resulted in injuries to 116 people. Many of the victims were under 20 years old.<\/p>\n

It is believed that the fire was caused by sparklers on celebratory platters that were raised toward the ceiling during the festivities.<\/p>\n

Authorities testified that the restaurant, located in a famous ski resort town, had not undergone safety inspections for five consecutive years.<\/p>\n

Jacques Moretti was first arrested last Monday for an initial period of 48 hours.<\/p>\n

On the second day of the month, a court known as the “Court of Compulsory Measures” ruled that his detention must continue for three months\u2014a duration that may be extended under Swiss law.<\/p>\n

This period is known as pretrial detention or provisional arrest, indicating that it lasts until the case reaches the court.<\/p>\n

In this instance, the court indicated that the decision could be overturned once a bail amount, to be determined later, is paid.<\/p>\n

The couple was placed under criminal investigation a few days after the catastrophic damage caused by the fire.<\/p>\n

His wife Jessica, who is under house arrest, recently told citizens that she expresses her regret for the “unimaginable and irreparable loss.”<\/p>\n

Authorities reported that the fire started when people raised the glowing celebratory platters, igniting the soundproofing material installed on the restaurant’s basement ceiling.<\/p>\n

The definitive news that the restaurant had not undergone safety inspections for five years sparked grief among the victims’ families.<\/p>\n

Establishments like “Le Constellation” are supposed to be inspected annually, but Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud could not explain why they had not been conducted for such a long time at this restaurant.<\/p>\n

“We wish this never happened\u2014we must promise the families that, and we will accept responsibility,” he said.<\/p>\n

He added that regional restrictions will be imposed on the use of pyrotechnics in all residential venues.<\/p>\n

Most of the fire victims were young\u2014eight of them were under the age of 16.<\/p>\n

Many of the injured suffered severe burns. Eighty remain in hospitals across Switzerland and other European countries.<\/p>\n

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