Crans-Montana NYE fire bar lacked safety checks for 5 years

Safety Inspections Lapse at Swiss Bar Where 40 Died

A Swiss bar where 40 people died in a New Year’s Eve fire had not undergone a single safety inspection for five years, officials have admitted.

Le Constellation in Crans-Montana had not been checked, audited, or inspected between 2020 and 2025. The bar was packed with revellers on the night it erupted into flames, killing dozens and injuring 116 more.

Details of the Incident

The fire killed 40 partygoers at the ski resort bar owned by Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica Moretti, 40. They bought the bar in 2015.

Local president Nicolas Féraud confirmed the failure, saying: “No inspections of the Constellation bar were carried out between 2020 and 2025. We bitterly regret this.” He added that the municipality would accept blame for the lapse, stating: “There’s no question of shirking our responsibilities.” He stressed that accountability now rests with the courts: “We trust in the justice system.”

Legal Actions and Investigations

The French owners of Le Constellation bar have reportedly been banned from operating a second venue amid a widening criminal probe into the fire. According to Swiss broadcaster RTS, the local council revoked the operating licence for the couple’s other business, La Petite Maison, ordering its immediate closure “in light of the circumstances and in order to ensure public safety.” The decision can still be appealed.

Jacques Moretti and his wife are under criminal investigation over the blaze. Prosecutors are investigating alleged manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm, and arson.

Fire Investigation Findings

Investigators have called the venue a “deathtrap.” They found the fire allegedly started when sparklers stuffed into champagne bottles were waved close to the ceiling, igniting flammable soundproofing material. Swiss attorney general Béatrice Pilloud said: “Everything suggests that the fire started with incandescent candles placed in champagne bottles, which were brought too close to the ceiling, causing a rapid and widespread conflagration.”

The blaze reportedly developed into a deadly flashover within seconds, filling the basement with toxic smoke and flames and leaving partygoers little chance to escape.

Moretti’s Background and Allegations

Moretti denies any wrongdoing and claims the club “followed all safety regulations.” However, it was reportedly inspected only three times in a decade, despite local fire codes requiring annual checks. He was not at the bar when the fire broke out.

Moretti has a criminal past, including a conviction in 2008 for recruiting prostitutes to a Geneva massage parlour. He received a one-year sentence, with eight months suspended. French media reported he previously served time for fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.

A former waitress at Le Constellation alleged that the owner encouraged staff to exploit their sexuality. She told BFM: “I stopped working with the Morettis because [the bar] was clearly a mess.”

Victims and Community Response

Among the dead was hero teenage boxer Benjamin Johnson, 18, who died trying to save a friend. He was the son of British expat Matthew Johnson, who moved to Switzerland to work in tourism. The Swiss Boxing Federation paid tribute, saying: “Benjamin left us as a hero, helping his friend.”

Forty victims from seven countries were killed, including 26 aged between 14 and 18. Several were burned beyond recognition and identified only through DNA analysis. Swiss police confirmed all 116 injured have also been identified.

Injuries and Ongoing Mourning

Sixty-eight injured individuals are Swiss nationals, alongside citizens from France, Italy, Serbia, Poland, and a further 10 countries. Meanwhile, 83 remain in hospital, some still fighting for their lives. Authorities said the youngest victim was just 14.

The tragedy has prompted mourning across the resort. Dozens of skiers formed a heart-shaped tribute on the slopes of Crans-Montana. Coffins of Italian victims were flown home in a solemn ceremony guarded by firefighters and soldiers.

Former staff have alleged serious safety failings at the club, claiming fire extinguishers were kept locked away and emergency exits were often closed. Swiss prosecutors say the criminal investigation into the bar’s managers is ongoing as families across Europe mourn one of the deadliest nightclub fires in recent history.

Summary of Key Facts