A fire ripped through Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana at 1:30am on New Year's Day as over 100 revelers celebrated, killing at least 40 people and hospitalizing 116 with severe burns. Multiple witnesses told French media BFMTV that waitresses carried champagne bottles with sparklers on a barman's shoulders; the flames came within centimeters of the acoustic foam ceiling and engulfed the nightclub within 10 seconds.
All 40 victims have been identified: 21 Swiss nationals (aged 14-31), 6 Italians (including one Italian-Emirati dual citizen), 9 French citizens, 1 Romanian, and 1 Turkish citizen. Among them was a 15-year-old girl with French, British, and Israeli nationalities. A locked service door in the basement, which owner Jacques Moretti admitted to investigators, may have trapped victims trying to escape.
On January 2, Valais prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud opened a criminal investigation against bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti on charges of homicide by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. On January 12, a Swiss court ordered Jacques Moretti into three months of pretrial detention citing risk of flight, while Jessica remains free under judicial supervision. If prosecutors prove the locked door contributed to deaths, the Morettis could face up to 20 years in prison.
Investigators confirmed the venue's acoustic foam violated Swiss fire code (regulations prohibit leaving such foam visible) and that the bar received only three inspections between 2015-2019 despite annual inspection requirements. Switzerland held a national day of mourning on January 9. This is the deadliest Swiss fire disaster in modern history.
24 events
Latest: January 15th, 2026 · 4 months ago
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January 2026
Swiss Fire Standards Authority Halts Regulation Liberalization
LatestResponse
Intercantonal authority that establishes Swiss fire safety standards announces halt to ongoing project aimed at revision and liberalization of standards, pending results of Crans-Montana investigation.
Criticism Emerges Over Prosecutor Pilloud's Case Handling
Investigation
Lawyers call for recusal of Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud amid criticism over her handling of the case. Critics note she delegated investigation to team of four prosecutors rather than personally leading it.
Court Orders Jacques Moretti to Three Months Pretrial Detention
Investigation
Valais cantonal court rules Jacques Moretti must remain in pretrial detention for three months. Jessica Moretti will not be held in custody before trial. If prosecutors prove locked door contributed to deaths, couple could face up to 20 years in prison.
Municipal council imposes ban on pyrotechnic devices of any kind in enclosed areas throughout municipality. Council commissions external specialist firm to inspect all public establishments, including materials quality.
Switzerland Observes National Day of Mourning
Response
Switzerland holds national day of mourning in memory of the 40 victims. Hundreds march in silence through Crans-Montana as families mourn.
Jacques Moretti Detained, Cites Risk of Flight
Investigation
Valais prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud orders detention of Jacques Moretti after he admits to investigators that basement service door was locked from inside during fire. Prosecutors cite 'risk of flight' as justification.
Official Confirms Acoustic Foam Should Have Been Inspected
Investigation
Senior official states soundproofing foam that caught fire should have been subject to regular safety checks by law. Swiss fire code prohibits leaving acoustic foam visible; Le Constellation's ceiling violated this regulation.
All 40 Victims Identified by Forensic Teams
Investigation
Valais police, DVI network, and Zurich Forensic Institute complete identification of all fatalities using dental records and DNA: 21 Swiss, 6 Italian (including 1 Italian-UAE dual), 9 French, 1 Romanian, 1 Turkish. Youngest victim was 14; oldest was 31.
24 Victims Identified; Teenagers as Young as 14 Among Dead
Investigation
Swiss police identify 16 additional victims, bringing total to 24. Dead include 18 Swiss citizens (aged 14-31), 2 Italians (both 16), 1 dual Italian-UAE citizen (16), 1 Romanian (18), 1 French (39), and 1 Turkish citizen (18). Presence of 14- and 15-year-olds raises questions about venue's ID enforcement.
Four Swiss Victims Identified, Bodies Released to Families
Investigation
Regional police identify four Swiss victims: two aged 16, one aged 18, and one aged 21. Bodies returned to families for burial.
Criminal Investigation Opened Against Bar Managers
Investigation
Valais prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud announces criminal investigation against Jacques and Jessica Moretti on charges of homicide by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
First Victim Publicly Identified: Teen Golfer Emanuele Galeppini
Investigation
Italian Golf Federation confirms 16-year-old Emanuele Galeppini, who lived in Dubai and won 2025 Faldo Junior Tour U16 event, died in the fire. He was at the bar with two friends who survived.
Acoustic Foam Ceiling Identified as Key Investigation Focus
Investigation
Prosecutor Pilloud announces investigators examining whether bar's acoustic foam ceiling complied with fire safety regulations and contributed to rapid fire spread. Venue had been inspected only 3 times in 10 years despite annual inspection requirements.
150 personnel, 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances deployed; hospitals across four cantons overwhelmed.
Officials Confirm Dozens Dead, Rule Out Terrorism
Statement
Prosecutor Pilloud announces criminal investigation; death toll approximately 40 per Italian foreign ministry.
Zurich Forensic Institute Enlisted
Investigation
Valais authorities request specialist support to identify victims with severe burns.
Witnesses Report Sparklers on Champagne Bottles as Cause
Investigation
Multiple witnesses tell French media BFMTV that waitresses carrying champagne bottles with sparklers on barman's shoulders ignited ceiling; flames engulfed nightclub within 10 seconds.
Forensic Team Enters Scene, Bodies Tented
Investigation
Swiss police forensics team from Zurich enters tented area set up in front of bar; white screens shield scene. Italian ambassador warns identification may take weeks due to burn severity.
President Parmelin Postpones Inaugural Address
Statement
Swiss President Guy Parmelin postpones traditional New Year's address on his first day in office, announces plans to speak in Sion. 'What should have been joy turned into grief,' he writes.
Italian Foreign Minister Tajani Arrives in Crans-Montana
Response
Antonio Tajani meets with families of ~15 injured Italians and as many missing; personally provides phone number to families unable to reach relatives. Confirms coordination with Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis.
Lausanne and Zurich Hospitals Declare Crisis Mode
Response
University Hospital Zurich treating 12 burn patients; Lausanne treating 22 (youngest age 16). Both Switzerland's only specialized burn centers operating in crisis mode, expecting more arrivals.
Le Constellation Owners Block Social Media Profiles
Background
French couple from Corsica who operate Le Constellation make Instagram and Facebook profiles inaccessible shortly after incident.
January 2015
Le Constellation Opens
Background
French couple from Corsica opens two-story bar in Crans-Montana's town center.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
February 20, 2003
The Station Nightclub Fire (Rhode Island, 2003)
Pyrotechnics during a Great White concert ignited foam insulation at The Station nightclub in West Warwick. Within six minutes, 100 people died and 230 were injured as the building became fully engulfed. Most victims died from smoke inhalation; many were trapped near exits blocked by crowds.
Then
Tour manager Daniel Biechele sentenced to 15 years; civil suits recovered $176 million for victims.
Now
Rhode Island banned indoor pyrotechnics and required sprinklers in venues over 150 capacity—now the strictest U.S. fire code.
Why this matters now
Demonstrates how pyrotechnic nightclub fires kill within minutes and trigger sweeping regulatory reform.
2 of 3
January 27, 2013
Kiss Nightclub Fire (Brazil, 2013)
A band's outdoor fireworks ignited acoustic foam at Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria during a college party. With 1,200 people in a 615-square-meter space designed for 700, and only one functioning exit, 242 died—mostly from cyanide released by burning foam. Victims piled up in bathrooms they mistook for exits.
Then
Band members and club owners received 18-22 year sentences (later overturned on procedural grounds).
Now
Brazil's second-deadliest fire prompted new safety laws but enforcement remains weak nationwide.
Why this matters now
Shows how wooden interiors, foam insulation, and inadequate exits create identical disaster conditions across continents.
3 of 3
October 30, 2015
Colectiv Nightclub Fire (Romania, 2015)
Sparkler fireworks during a Goodbye to Gravity concert ignited polyurethane foam at Bucharest's Colectiv club. Between 300-400 people were inside the unlicensed venue. Sixty-four died, most from toxic foam fumes. The tragedy exposed corruption allowing venues to operate without safety inspections.
Then
Prime Minister Victor Ponta resigned amid protests; club owners received 11+ year sentences.
Now
Exposed systemic corruption in Romania's safety inspection regime; healthcare system also failed burn victims.
Why this matters now
Illustrates how nightclub fire disasters can trigger government collapse when linked to regulatory corruption.
