On 1 January 2026 a devastating blaze tore through the basement of Le Constellation, a popular bar in Crans‑Montana, in the Swiss canton of Valais. The fire broke out during New Year’s celebrations and quickly engulfed the venue, leading to one of Switzerland’s deadliest recent civilian disasters.
Officials confirmed that 40 people were killed and 116 injured, a toll that was revised from earlier, conflicting reports. The tragedy has prompted criminal investigations, emergency medical transfers across Europe, national mourning and growing calls for accountability from victims’ families and public officials.
The blaze, casualties and demographics
The fire started on New Year’s Day at Le Constellation and spread rapidly through the bar’s basement, where many patrons had gathered for the celebrations. Cantonal police and emergency services responded, but the speed and intensity of the fire left little time for evacuation for some attendees.
Authorities put the official death toll at 40 people and confirmed 116 injured. Early reports had listed different figures , including 119 and 115 injured , but police later revised the tally after removing unrelated hospital cases and completing initial checks.
Most of the dead were teenagers and people in their twenties, with the youngest confirmed victim aged 14. Among the injured, the police breakdown named 68 Swiss, 21 French and 10 Italian nationals, with other nationalities also represented among those treated.
Suspected ignition mechanism and scene evidence
Investigators say the blaze likely began when small sparkler candles or pyrotechnics attached to champagne bottles were held too close to acoustic or sound‑proofing foam on the ceiling. The foam is suspected to have ignited, allowing the fire to spread rapidly across the low, crowded ceiling space.
Witness reports, former employees and media coverage have cited flammable insulating foam on ceilings and walls and have raised questions about the foam’s suitability for a crowded venue. Authorities have stressed these claims are under active investigation as forensic work continues.
Local media noted that some initial technical tests conducted by the owners suggested the sparkler candles might not have been powerful enough to ignite the foam; that claim is part of the owners’ testimony under examination alongside other physical evidence.
Owners under investigation and legal status
The bar’s listed owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, a French couple, are the focus of a criminal investigation opened by prosecutors in canton Valais. They face suspicions of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson under cantonal criminal procedure.
On 9 January 2026 prosecutors requested pre‑trial detention for Jacques Moretti on the grounds of a perceived “risk of flight.” Valais chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said the detention request was needed to avoid that risk, and Jacques was placed in custody. Jessica Moretti was left free but subject to judicial supervision and house arrest while proceedings continue.
The owners have given accounts to investigators. Jacques told prosecutors he forced open a service door after the fire and found people lying behind it, and reported that the door had been locked from the inside , a claim reported by AFP and carried by major outlets. The couple also said they used small sparkler candles in service, and that Jacques had bought and installed the acoustic foam himself, reportedly from a DIY store.
Allegations of safety lapses and missed inspections
Local officials have acknowledged shortcomings in routine safety oversight. Crans‑Montana’s mayor said the bar had not undergone a fire safety inspection since 2019, prompting anger and demands for accountability. Mathias Reynard, of the Canton Valais government, said he was “angry” about the lack of checks and urged that those responsible be held to account.
Witnesses and some former employees have alleged locked emergency exits, inaccessible or locked fire extinguishers, and possible overcrowding , claims investigators are pursuing. Families and lawyers have also criticised perceived delays in securing and preserving evidence, saying social‑media accounts and photos were removed before investigators could capture them.
In response to these allegations and the scale of the tragedy, authorities have ordered spot checks and inspections of other venues in Crans‑Montana and surrounding areas, and local bans or stricter controls on indoor sparklers and pyrotechnics have been announced while inspections are carried out.
Victim identification and medical response
Authorities launched a major disaster victim identification (DVI) operation. Police said DVI teams used dental records, DNA and other forensic means to identify victims. Officials reported all 116 injured had been identified and that 83 of the injured remained hospitalised while identification and treatment continued.
Many survivors suffered severe burns, overwhelming regional burn units. Patients were transferred to specialised burn centres across Switzerland and to hospitals in other European countries for intensive, long‑term care. Doctors warned that recovery for many burn victims would be prolonged and complex.
Medical teams and health authorities coordinated large‑scale transfers and specialised care, highlighting the strain such mass‑casualty incidents place on regional health systems and the need for cross‑border medical cooperation in severe cases.
National mourning and public reaction
Switzerland observed a national day of mourning with a memorial ceremony on 9 January 2026. Flags were ordered at half‑mast and political leaders, families and communities paid tribute to the victims. International leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and senior Italian officials, expressed solidarity and attended memorial events or sent messages of support.
The disaster has provoked widespread public outrage and calls for accountability from families, lawyers and public officials. Critics have demanded faster and more thorough action from investigators and regulators, and legal representatives for victims have been vocal about the need to preserve evidence and pursue all lines of inquiry.
Media coverage from outlets such as Reuters, The Guardian, AP, BBC and Swiss local press has followed both the technical investigation and the emotional aftermath, documenting the evolving legal case, the scientific forensic work and community responses across borders.
Legal framework, investigation steps and next stages
Prosecutors in the canton of Valais opened the criminal investigation under the cantonal public prosecutor’s direction. Under Swiss procedure, a detained suspect may be held pending a court decision , often with rights to a hearing within a prescribed period, typically around 48 hours for initial custody reviews , while inquiries continue.
Investigators are collecting forensic evidence, interviewing witnesses and reviewing venue records, social media and security footage. The investigation will need to establish the precise ignition sequence, the presence and condition of safety equipment, exit accessibility, crowding levels and whether regulatory inspections or enforcement actions were missed.
Meanwhile, immediate administrative steps include inspections of similar venues and temporary restrictions on indoor pyrotechnics. The legal process is likely to proceed in stages: formal charges or further detentions may follow as prosecutors build their case and courts weigh pre‑trial measures.
As the criminal inquiry advances, families of the victims and the public continue to press for clarity about what exactly went wrong and who will be held responsible. The combination of technical, regulatory and human factors makes the investigation both complex and emotionally charged.
Beyond legal accountability, there is a broader debate about venue safety standards, enforcement practices and emergency preparedness , questions that Swiss authorities and European partners will face as they seek to prevent a similar catastrophe in the future.
