The two managers of a Swiss bar where a devastating fire killed at least 40 people during New Year's celebrations are now the subject of a criminal investigation.
Charges and the Tragic Event
Police in Switzerland confirmed that the managers of Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and causing a fire by negligence. The blaze broke out in the early hours of Thursday, 1 January 2026, as revellers welcomed the New Year, leaving more than 100 people injured.
The process of identifying the victims continued into Saturday, 3 January, prolonging the agonising wait for families and friends. Swiss police stated that four victims had been formally identified and returned to their families: two Swiss women aged 21 and 16, and two Swiss men aged 18 and 16.
Victims and a Father's Anguish
Among the first confirmed fatalities was a 16-year-old Italian girl, Chiara Costanzo. Her father, Andrea, told the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera that "my beloved Chiara is no more". He revealed that his daughter and her friends had chosen Le Constellation randomly because other venues at the upmarket resort were full.
Another early confirmed victim was 17-year-old Italian golf prodigy Emanuele Galeppini, whose death was announced by the Italian Golf Federation on Friday. Prosecutors estimate the fire reached temperatures between 400 and 600 degrees Celsius.
Investigation and Ownership Details
From the initial investigative work, sparklers on champagne bottles are believed to be the likely cause of the catastrophic fire. The owners of Le Constellation, listed in a Swiss business register as French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, have been questioned by investigators.
According to reports in Switzerland's Tribune de Geneve, Mr Moretti claimed the bar had been checked "three times in 10 years" and that "everything was done within the standards". The couple, who own two other establishments in the area, are among many who have been interviewed as authorities piece together the events of that night and review past work on the bar.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the incident as "one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known", underscoring the national scale of the loss. The criminal investigation into the bar's management is now a central focus as the community seeks answers and justice for the victims.
