The owner of a Swiss bar where a fire on New Year's Day left 40 people dead was arrested on the 9th (local time), AFP and others reported.
The Valais canton prosecutor's office in Switzerland summoned bar operator Jacques Moretti for questioning that morning, then arrested him and sought a detention warrant citing flight risk.
French national Jacques Moretti acquired the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, Valais, Switzerland, in 2015 and ran it with his wife, Jessica Moretti.
At about 1:30 a.m. on the 1st, a fire broke out at the bar, killing 40 people and injuring 116.
On the 3rd, prosecutors booked the couple on charges of involuntary manslaughter and accidental arson and opened an investigation. Early in the probe, prosecutors said there was insufficient legal basis to detain the bar owner. But public criticism of the couple grew amid unconfirmed rumors spreading on social media that Jessica took only cash and fled the premises during the fire.
The fire was found to have started when sparks from a handheld firework attached to a champagne bottle jumped to the ceiling. Authorities are checking whether the ceiling soundproofing that rapidly fueled the flames met fire safety standards, and whether the couple properly secured escape routes and emergency exits during remodeling after acquiring the bar.
It was found that the bar had not undergone a fire safety inspection for six years since 2019. Authorities revoked the business license of another restaurant the couple operated in Valais.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, in an open letter to the public that day, said, "We have a duty to do our utmost to prevent such a tragedy from happening again," and noted that investigating violations of safety regulations and reaching conclusions is a duty owed to the victims.
The Swiss federal government declared the day a national day of mourning and held a memorial service in Martigny, Valais. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian President Sergio Mattarella also attended the event.
Of the 40 dead, nine were French nationals and six were Italian. The victims were between 14 and 39, with an average age of 19, and most were young people enjoying New Year's parties.
The Swiss Football Association (SFV) said nine players from three clubs in western Switzerland died in the fire and offered condolences.