Geneva (Switzerland) (AFP) – Ten months after the tragic fire in a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which left 41 dead and 115 injured, the investigation continues but could stretch over several years, given the number of defendants and civil parties.

Published on: 02/11/2026 - 07:29

The Valais public prosecutor is examining in particular the responsibilities of the municipal authorities and the French owners and managers of the Constellation, Jessica and Jacques Moretti. The latter must be interviewed again on Monday.

. A couple at the heart of the matter

The Moretti couple is mainly accused on three aspects: compliance with fire safety standards, the conformity of emergency exits and safety equipment, and their possible knowledge of the risks incurred by customers.

The investigation revealed shortcomings, but gray areas persist and Jacques Moretti's legal past has resurfaced. Convicted in France in 2008 for pimping, he was implicated in seven other cases, notably for fraud, without being convicted.

In March, a report from the Swiss federal police (Fedpol), consulted by AFP, raised suspicions of money laundering targeting the couple, owners of three establishments in Valais.

Investigators are talking about “an alleged criminal financial arrangement” based on loans obtained in a “likely improper manner” and mortgages.

In August, Jacques Moretti was detained for alleged violence against his wife. He spent 14 days in custody in January investigating the fire before being released on bail.

. The other defendants

“By focusing all the attention on the Moretti couple and confining the search for the truth to them alone, we end up forgetting that this procedure includes 15 other defendants who are subject to the same charges,” Jessica Moretti’s lawyers, Yaël Hayat and Nicola Meier, told AFP.

“Some of the essential answers must be found elsewhere, in particular among municipal employees, security officials and elected officials.”

The other people placed under criminal investigation are eight elected or former municipal officials, including the president of Crans-Montana Nicolas Féraud, and seven employees or former employees of municipal services.

Like the Morettis, they are being prosecuted for “negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson”.

Municipal officials recognized after the tragedy the absence of safety and fire controls in the bar since 2019. During the hearings, investigators tried to establish whether those responsible were aware of these shortcomings and whether the means deployed for the controls were sufficient.

"Behind the admission of incompetence of a large part of the municipality's defendants, (...) we can clearly see that everything is good to avoid talking about serious failings, in particular regarding controls, and to recognize a form of responsibility", lamented to AFP Me Christophe de Galembert, representing several families.

. Acoustic foam and fire safety

Investigators are examining the work carried out by Jacques Moretti in the basement of the bar in 2015, the operating authorizations and security, in particular emergency exits, some of which were allegedly locked on the evening of the tragedy, and the acoustic foam in the ceiling which quickly caught fire on contact with sparkling candles.

Since June, Jessica Moretti has also been warned of “falseness in the titles” for a false invoice relating to this foam.

According to a source close to the matter, the couple has not clarified their responsibilities. The families hope that the Morettis "recognize their wrongdoing", according to Me Didier Elsig, another lawyer for the civil parties.

. Instruction under pressure

At the start of the investigation, the cantonal magistrates, unaccustomed to this type of case, were strongly criticized, in particular for the absence of immediate pre-trial detention, anti-collusion measures and rapid searches.

In April, a request from extraordinary prosecutors outside the canton and another aimed at challenging the female prosecutors were rejected. Since then, one of the three magistrates has announced her departure and the rebellion seems to have calmed down.

“It now remains to be seen whether the errors in the investigation at the start will have repercussions on the rest of the procedure,” notes Mr. de Galembert.

. Legal issue

The investigation must establish possible failures in the works, operation and municipal controls, as well as individual criminal responsibilities.

In June, two lawyers requested a reclassification of the charges against the couple, after the revelation of exchanges with employees suggesting that they were aware of the fire risk.

To date, the numerous complainants have not yet been heard and the date of a possible trial remains uncertain.

© 2026 AFP

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