Swiss Authorities Detain Bar Owner Over Fatal New Years Fire Incident

Switzerland Holds National Day of Mourning for Crans-Montana Fire Victims

A national day of mourning was observed in Switzerland on Friday to commemorate the victims of a deadly fire at a ski resort town, where 40 people lost their lives and dozens were injured on New Year’s Eve. Swiss prosecutors have requested that one of the bar owners be placed in pre-trial detention due to concerns about his potential flight.

Jacques Moretti, co-owner of La Constellation bar, has been detained pending investigation into suspected crimes, including homicide by negligence. His wife and co-manager, Jessica Moretti, will remain under judicial supervision. The request for detention comes as authorities continue to investigate the owners of the bar on suspicion of various offenses.

A national day of mourning was held across Switzerland, with an official ceremony attended by prominent officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed condolences to the victims’ families and praised the resilience of those affected by the tragedy.

The fire, which occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day, resulted in significant loss of life, with over half of the victims being teenagers. The investigation has revealed that sparklers attached to champagne bottles may have contributed to the blaze. Local authorities had previously stated that the bar had not undergone a safety inspection since 2019.

A memorial outside the bar has been covered with a tarpaulin to protect it from heavy snowfall, and many in the community are still reeling from the tragedy. A gathering of over 1,400 people watched a livestream of the official ceremony at the Crans-Montana congress centre.

Source: Al Jazeera