The father of the man who owns the Swiss ski bar where a devastating New Year's fire killed 40 people has publicly stated that his son bears responsibility for the tragedy. Jean Moretti spoke out as his son, Jacques Moretti, and daughter-in-law, Jessica Moretti, faced prosecutors on charges including manslaughter by negligence.
Family Speaks Amidst Grief and Legal Proceedings
Jean Moretti confirmed that his son's home is now under police protection due to rising public anger following the blaze at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. The fire on 1st January 2026 also left 116 people injured, with 83 victims still hospitalised.
"My son bears responsibility because it's his company, but whether he's guilty remains to be seen," Jean Moretti told the newspaper 24 Heures. "In the end, we will only have to answer to the justice system. We will not hide or shirk our responsibility."
He described the family as "respectable people, not criminals" and expressed their profound grief. "We are thinking of the victims. We, too, have lost family members and loved ones. We cry every day. I can't sleep anymore," he said.
Charges and a National Day of Mourning
Jacques Moretti, 40, was held in pre-trial detention after questioning, while his wife Jessica was released following her interview. The couple face serious charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
Their court appearance coincided with a national day of mourning in Switzerland, nine days after the tragedy which claimed the lives of 20 children, some as young as 14. Outside the Public Prosecutor's Office in Sion, a distraught Jessica Moretti offered an apology: "My constant thoughts are with the victims and the people who are fighting today. It is an unimaginable tragedy... It happened in our establishment and I want to apologise."
Investigation Focus and Emotional Memorials
Prosecutors believe the fire started in the bar's basement when champagne bottles with party sparklers were raised too close to sound insulation foam on the ceiling. Experts suggest the highly flammable foam may have caused a deadly "flashover," where materials ignite simultaneously.
The investigation will examine the responsibilities of both the bar owners and authorities, who have admitted no fire safety inspections had been conducted at the bar since 2019. Victims came from 19 different nationalities.
On Friday, an official memorial service in Martigny moved attendees, including French President Emmanuel Macron, to tears. Three young survivors gave powerful speeches. Marie Albrecht described scenes that were "unbearable," while Aline Morisoli urged resilience: "We can't add days to life, but we can add more life to days."
Across Switzerland, a minute's silence was observed and church bells rang for five minutes in remembrance of the 40 lives lost.
