18-Year-Old Dies, Death Toll Reaches 41 in Crans-Montana Fire
An 18-year-old Swiss national died on Jan. 31 in Zurich, bringing the Le Constellation bar fire death toll to 41.
Overview
Beatrice Pilloud, the Wallis canton public prosecutor, said an 18-year-old Swiss national died at a Zurich hospital on Jan. 31, raising the death toll from the Jan. 1 Le Constellation bar fire in Crans-Montana to 41.
Investigators say they believe sparkling candles attached to Champagne bottles ignited soundproofing foam on the bar's ceiling less than two hours after midnight on Jan. 1 and are examining whether the ceiling material complied with regulations and whether safety inspections had been conducted since 2019.
Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation and say four people are under formal probe — including bar co-owners Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti — on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence.
The blaze injured 116 people and left victims aged 14 to 39, with authorities saying 23 Swiss nationals and 18 foreigners were among the dead.
A court ordered three months' pretrial detention for Jacques Moretti on Jan. 12 and then released him on bail on Jan. 23, while a court imposed a travel ban on Jessica Moretti requiring surrender of her passport and daily police reporting, and prosecutors said they would provide no further information at this stage.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources appear neutral in covering the Crans-Montana bar fire, relying on factual descriptions, official statements, and investigative details without loaded language. They cite prosecutors, investigators, and court actions, note safety-inspection lapses, and avoid emotive framing or partisan angles — prioritizing factual chronology and legal developments.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Investigators believe sparkling candles attached to Champagne bottles ignited soundproofing foam on the bar's ceiling.
Four people: bar co-owners Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti, Crans-Montana's current head of public safety, and a former fire safety officer.
37 patients remain hospitalized in Switzerland, with some in intensive care; the situation is fluid with transfers and readmissions.
Compliance of ceiling material with regulations, fire safety inspections since 2019, fire extinguishers, escape routes, renovations, and fire-extinguishing systems.
History
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