Swiss New Year's Eve Bar Fire Kills 40; Co-owner Arrested as Inspections Lapsed

Forty people—primarily teenagers and young adults from Switzerland, France and Italy—died in the Crans-Montana bar blaze; 116 were injured and 83 remain hospitalized with severe burns.

Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the bar, was arrested and detained by Sion prosecutors on manslaughter-through-negligence allegations after a lengthy hearing, according to sources.

Authorities say sparklers on champagne bottles ignited soundproofing foam in the basement, rapidly spreading flames and smoke; a social media image shows a server on a colleague's shoulders with sparklers moments before the fire.

Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Féraud admitted no legally required safety inspections had occurred since 2019; the probe focuses on renovations, fire systems, escape routes and occupancy levels.

Victims' families criticize slow evidence gathering as public outrage grows; top European officials including Presidents Macron and Mattarella attended a national mourning and memorial near Crans-Montana.