Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation against the managers of a bar where a fire killed 40 people and injured another 119. The French couple - named by the media as Jacques and Jessica Moretti - are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
Eight Swiss nationals from among those killed were the first to be identified. The likely cause of the fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana was sparklers on bottles being carried too close to the ceiling, according to a preliminary investigation.
Investigators are also examining whether the venue's acoustic foam contributed to the fire's rapid spread and whether it complies with safety regulations. Many of the victims were teenagers, highlighting the tragedy's impact on the community, as the bar was popular among younger patrons in the ski resort town.
In a poignant display of grief, memorials of flowers and messages have been placed outside the bar as families cope with the loss of their loved ones. Switzerland’s social fabric has been shaken, with recovery efforts underway to identify the remaining victims of this horrific event.
