Switzerland - 40 dead and 116 injured in fire in bar in Crans-Montana, Swiss ski resort, 1 January 2026

[Dotta]

"Crans-Montana fire bar had safety issues for years.​

Swiss safety inspectors
had for years harboured concerns about the Crans-Montana bar that was the scene of a fatal fire on New Year's Eve."

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/crans-montana-authorities-informed-about-offences-in-the-bar-since-2018/90811177

 

[Ssschu]

"Crans-Montana fire bar had safety issues for years.​

Swiss safety inspectors
had for years harboured concerns about the Crans-Montana bar that was the scene of a fatal fire on New Year's Eve."

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/crans-montana-authorities-informed-about-offences-in-the-bar-since-2018/90811177

In January 2018, the safety officer of the municipality of Crans-Montana asked the manager Jacques Moretti to limit the number of visitors to his restaurant to 100 people per floor. The officer also gave him three months to indicate where the fire extinguishers were located. Evacuation plans and appropriate staff training were also lacking at the time.

During the inspection in May 2019, all of these demands were made again by the safety officer, as the then managing director had not met the expectations of the municipal administration.

In 2019, he was given another three months to comply with the regulations.

Since then, the bar has not been inspected again. As far as the issue of soundproofing foam is concerned, there is no reference to this in the viewed reports.

 

[Charlot123]

i remember reading on SRF that he bought it at hornbach, that’s a big hardware store! they sell all kinds of things you need when you’re renovating your home.

The fire-resistant and flammable foam differ in price. Mr. Moretti had to write the cost of renovation off the taxes. So somewhere, he should have the cost of this foam mentioned.

 

[Herat]

In January 2018, the safety officer of the municipality of Crans-Montana asked the manager Jacques Moretti to limit the number of visitors to his restaurant to 100 people per floor. The officer also gave him three months to indicate where the fire extinguishers were located. Evacuation plans and appropriate staff training were also lacking at the time.

During the inspection in May 2019, all of these demands were made again by the safety officer, as the then managing director had not met the expectations of the municipal administration.

In 2019, he was given another three months to comply with the regulations.

Since then, the bar has not been inspected again. As far as the issue of soundproofing foam is concerned, there is no reference to this in the viewed reports.

In the US, the Boards of Heath can shut down restaurants that fail Health Inspections. This seems similar.

Did the munincipality of Crans-Montana not have the legal capacity to shut this place down for failure to respond to or complete the required safety programs?

 

[Dotta]

"Crans-Montana blaze exposes cracks in Switzerland’s image.​

The deadly New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana has triggered unprecedented international media scrutiny, focusing both on the disaster itself and on Switzerland’s response. ​

As further details emerge about the tragedy and the actions of authorities and owners, ​

confusion and criticism in the foreign press appear to be growing."​

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-politics/crans-montana-blaze-exposes-cracks-in-switzerlands-image/90811759

 

[Herat]

"Crans-Montana blaze exposes cracks in Switzerland’s image.​

The deadly New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana has triggered unprecedented international media scrutiny, focusing both on the disaster itself and on Switzerland’s response. ​

As further details emerge about the tragedy and the actions of authorities and owners, ​

confusion and criticism in the foreign press appear to be growing."​

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-politics/crans-montana-blaze-exposes-cracks-in-switzerlands-image/90811759

That article is blaming foreign press for being too interested in the Swiss buildings codes because minors were killed, not just of-age adults ?

 

[Dotta]

That article is blaming foreign press for being too interested in the Swiss buildings codes because minors were killed, not just of-age adults ?

Not IMO.

Italian Press indicates the series of appalling failures.
And rightly so.
They call this tragedy resembling "Death from the Middle Ages”.

Foreign journalists
"also question the crisis communication of the Valais authorities.
The most vital information was not published by the institutions,
but by the press.

'The dysfunctional attitude of the authorities became apparent quite quickly,
so you assume that some things were covered up'."

JMO

Quotes from my link above.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2014869334032519312

"Among the treasured photos they have left of their daughter
is a professional portrait which captured her extraordinary beauty.

In the dark days that have passed since Cyane Panine was killed in the horrific fire which engulfed a Swiss bar on New Year's Eve,
her grieving parents Jerome and Astrid have held on to it tightly,
desperately trying to blot out other images which emerged from that terrible night.

'Cyane was spontaneous, radiant and full of heart,'
her heartbroken mother says.
'She possessed a beauty that went beyond the physical.
She embodied it.
She trusted people without the slightest suspicion.
She paid the ultimate price for this with her life'.

Her father describes her as 'such a vital presence'.

He says:
'I cannot accept that my daughter is remembered only
as the girl with the helmet,
with flares in her hands'.

As well as paying tribute to their child,
who was born in 2001 and named Cyane for the colour of her eyes and the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean where the yacht-owning family spent so many happy days,
the couple are full of contempt for the French owners of Le Constellation
– Jacques and Jessica Moretti –
and what they see as attempts to exploit their daughter."

 

[Kittypoo]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2014869334032519312

"Among the treasured photos they have left of their daughter is a professional portrait which captured her extraordinary beauty.

In the dark days that have passed since Cyane Panine was killed in the horrific fire which engulfed a Swiss bar on New Year's Eve,
her grieving parents Jerome and Astrid have held on to it tightly,
desperately trying to blot out other images which emerged from that terrible night."

I do wonder why the press are so obsessed with this one lady. RIP 40 young people and children lost their lives through owner and authorities negligence and all I hear is this one name. Why is this?
JMO

 

[Dotta]

" 'A shocking decision': ​

Outrage as Crans-Montana bar owner released on bail.​

The co-owner of the Swiss bar was released from custody on Friday after bail was paid on his behalf,
dismaying victims' families."

https://twitter.com/x/status/2014938738023903376

"Italy condemns release of Swiss bar owner on bail.

Jacques Moretti was released on Jan 23 on bail of 200,000 Swiss francs (S$327,063).

Ms Meloni’s statement pointed to the
'extreme gravity of the crime'
Moretti is suspected of,
'the heavy responsibilities weighing on him, the ongoing risk of flight,
and the clear risk of further tampering with evidence'."

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015039024873025641

"Swiss court has ordered the release from pretrial detention of Jacques Moretti,
co-owner of a bar where a fatal fire killed 40 people on New Year's Eve.

He must now comply with strict conditions including
- a travel ban,
- daily police check-ins,
- and a financial guarantee exceeding $250,000."

https://twitter.com/x/status/2014971435865813037

 

[Rikissa]

I do wonder why the press are so obsessed with this one lady. RIP 40 young people and children lost their lives through owner and authorities negligence and all I hear is this one name. Why is this?
JMO

Probably because she was an employee at the establishment, and that her parents have been outspoken about her. As an employee (even as it seems that she had not been instructed about safety, and security measures, by her employers) she is unfortunately, by many, seen as having been "responsible" to keep guests safe.

As for the guests, dead or injured, have their relatives, and friends, been interviewed by the press, or are they still in shock, and/or trying to support the injured, and families of the dead?

 

[Dotta]

"Italy protests, ​

recalls ambassador to Switzerland after New Year's bar fire suspect released.​

Government statement on Saturday said
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia
Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani
instructed Italy's ambassador to immediately contact Beatrice Pilloud,
the chief prosecutor in Switzerland's Valais canton,
to convey Italy's 'strong indignation' over Moretti's release.

'The whole of Italy is clamouring for truth and justice,
and is calling for respectful measures to be taken in the wake of this disaster,
which take full account of the suffering and expectations of the families',
the statement said.

Meloni and Tajani also ordered Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado to return to Rome to determine what further action to take.

Six Italians were killed, 10 injured in the fire."

Italy protests, recalls ambassador to Switzerland after New Year's bar fire suspect released

Italy formally protested on Saturday the release on bail of the owner of a Swiss bar engulfed in a deadly New Year's Day fire and recalled its ambassador to Switzerland, as the court's decision came under criticism in both countries.

www.reuters.com

"Diplomatic tensions have flared
after Swiss court frees suspect in deadly Crans-Montana nightclub fire.

Rome said in a statement on Saturday
that it is seeking
'truth and justice' for the victims,
several of whom were Italian nationals."

Italy recalls ambassador over Swiss release of Crans-Montana fire suspect

Diplomatic tensions have flared after Swiss court frees suspect in deadly Crans-Montana nightclub fire.

www.politico.eu

 

[ChatteringBirds]

the couple are full of contempt for the French owners of Le Constellation
– Jacques and Jessica Moretti –
and what they see as attempts to exploit their daughter."

I realize these sparklers are not rare in bars/restaurants (apparently), but the waitress shouldn't have even been in a position to be using them, and I completely understand her parents. All of the many causes of the tragedy had nothing to do with her.

Jacques Moretti was released on Jan 23 on bail of 200,000 Swiss francs (S$327,063).

Seems like a very low bail to me,. considering all of those deaths, injuries, and considering his record and their wealth. Just my opinion.

 

[Dotta]

"As calls were made in Italy over the weekend
for Italian ski racers to boycott next week’s Alpine World Cup races in Crans-Montana in protest,
Switzerland is trying to appease
– and explain the situation to Italy.

A fundamental principle of Swiss criminal law
is that the accused remains free,
said the Swiss ambassador in Rome.
It is not the police or the public prosecutor’s office that decides on detention, but the judges.
'It is a principle of our democracy and the rule of law that protects us all'.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed a similar view.
He showed understanding for the Italian perspective, but also said:
'I believe Italy is viewing Switzerland’s actions through the lens of Italian law'.
'The separation of powers must be respected', he added."

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/italy-demands-joint-investigation-into-crans-montana-fire/90832971

 

[Dotta]

"Swiss inferno bar owners ​

place blame ​

on tragic 'waitress in the helmet'​

and say fire was result of her 'show'​

climbing on to colleague's shoulders with lit sparklers.​

The French nationals are being questioned by prosecutors constantly,
and leaked interview records point to them saying,
'It's not us, it's the others',
Le Parisien reported on Tuesday.

The Moretti's defence strategy during some 20 hours of interrogation by three prosecutors
was – in particular – to blame waitress Cyane Panine, 24, for getting on to the shoulders of a colleague while brandishing two champagne bottles with lit sparklers inside.

Referring to the champagne sparklers stunt
– which was filmed –
Jacques Moretti told the enquiry that it was 'Cyane's show'."

Swiss inferno bar owners place blame on 'waitress in the helmet'

The Swiss bar owners facing prison following the New Year fire in which 40 people died have firmly blamed their young staff for causing it and blocking an escape exit, it emerged today.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[ChatteringBirds]

No. The buck stops with them.
Their business, their sparklers, their ceiling, their staircase, their locked emergency doors, their employee, their training, their policies, on their watch, Their Responsibility and Fault. IMO.

 

[Gators North]

"Swiss inferno bar owners ​

place blame ​

on tragic 'waitress in the helmet'​

and say fire was result of her 'show'​

climbing on to colleague's shoulders with lit sparklers.​

View attachment 639998

The French nationals are being questioned by prosecutors constantly,
and leaked interview records point to them saying,
'It's not us, it's the others',
Le Parisien reported on Tuesday.

The Moretti's defence strategy during some 20 hours of interrogation by three prosecutors
was – in particular – to blame waitress Cyane Panine, 24, for getting on to the shoulders of a colleague while brandishing two champagne bottles with lit sparklers inside.

Referring to the champagne sparklers stunt
– which was filmed –
Jacques Moretti told the enquiry that it was 'Cyane's show'."

Swiss inferno bar owners place blame on 'waitress in the helmet'

The Swiss bar owners facing prison following the New Year fire in which 40 people died have firmly blamed their young staff for causing it and blocking an escape exit, it emerged today.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Nothing like blaming a victim who’s gone and can’t defend herself.

IMO, it’s the owners who are to blame and I hope they throw the book at them. MOO