Switzerland's national day of mourning marked a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 40 people in an Alpine bar during New Year's Eve celebrations. Prosecutors are now seeking to place one of the bar's male managers under pre-trial detention due to concerns about his potential flight risk.
Among those arrested were Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the French couple who own Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, where the fire broke out on January 1st. The couple's wife will remain free but under judicial supervision, whereas her husband will be held pending trial.
Investigations have revealed that a combination of factors contributed to the tragedy - including an unregulated use of candles atop Champagne bottles and inadequate fire safety measures. Inspectors are scrutinizing whether soundproofing material met regulations and if it was allowed in the bar.
Given the severity of burns sustained by victims, DNA samples from families were required to aid identification. Police reported many casualties were teenagers to their mid-twenties.
An autopsy for six Italian victims has been ordered with cooperation needed from Milan, Bologna, and Genoa prosecutors' offices.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni condemned the disaster stating "What happened isn't a natural disaster but the result of people not doing their job, who thought it would be an easy score."
Among those arrested were Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the French couple who own Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, where the fire broke out on January 1st. The couple's wife will remain free but under judicial supervision, whereas her husband will be held pending trial.
Investigations have revealed that a combination of factors contributed to the tragedy - including an unregulated use of candles atop Champagne bottles and inadequate fire safety measures. Inspectors are scrutinizing whether soundproofing material met regulations and if it was allowed in the bar.
Given the severity of burns sustained by victims, DNA samples from families were required to aid identification. Police reported many casualties were teenagers to their mid-twenties.
An autopsy for six Italian victims has been ordered with cooperation needed from Milan, Bologna, and Genoa prosecutors' offices.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni condemned the disaster stating "What happened isn't a natural disaster but the result of people not doing their job, who thought it would be an easy score."
. Can you even imagine being in that situation on NYE? I'm still trying to process how a bar fire can happen with all those safety measures in place... or lack thereof, I should say 
. The fact that candles were used on Champagne bottles?! It's just crazy. And the owners of the bar are now facing charges... hopefully they'll take responsibility and learn from their mistakes 
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. Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni seems to be on point with her comments too... let's hope everyone gets a chance to reflect and improve 
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... but at the same time, i mean, come on, candles on champagne bottles? how did they even think that was a good idea? 
and soundproofing material not being allowed in the bar? shouldn't be a hard pass for the owners. it's just so reckless 
... but, like, can we talk about how these families are dealing with all this? 40 people gone 
... and now they have to go through this whole ordeal of trying to find out what happened 
... meanwhile, there's already pressure on them to deal with the aftermath. it's just so messed up 
soundproofing material being a thing of the past too, that's just gross. 
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. This tragedy just highlights how lax fire safety regulations can be in certain areas. Italy needs to step up their game! 
. And poor guys who got burned so badly, DNA samples from families had to be collected just to identify them 
. Anyone know how the trial is gonna play out? Will we get to see some justice served? 
Fingers crossed for the Moretti family, especially the wife who gets to stay free under supervision 
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. The fact that candles were used on champagne bottles is just common sense – you'd think bars would know better than to put flammable materials near open flames 
. And now, the husband of one of the owners is under pre-trial detention? It's like we're all waiting with bated breath to see how this whole thing unfolds 
. We need to focus on finding out what really went wrong and making sure something like this never happens again 
soundproofing material being used improperly? candles on champagne bottles? how careless can you get? 
. And to think it was avoidable too - candles on champagne bottles? Really? And the fact that they didn't have proper fire safety measures in place is just crazy. I feel for all those families who lost loved ones... 40 people, can you even process that number? 
At least the Italian premier is holding people accountable for their mistakes 
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This is just so heartbreaking I keep thinking about that family that lost 40 loved ones in one tragic night 
And soundproofing material not meeting regulations? That just seems like negligence.
It sounds like there's going to be a lot of scrutiny on the management team and the safety measures in place at bars in general.
can u believe dis?? 40 ppl died in a bar fire on NYE and now one of the owners is tryna fly the coop?? like what even is the point of having laws if everyone's just gonna get away with stuff? 
. I feel bad for Jessica, she's free but her husband is stuck pending trial.
. Autopsy results will take some time, but it'll be a big help in understanding what happened