Tragedy brought people together in Crans-Montana and brought the country to a standstill. On Friday, just down the road from the bar where 40 young people were killed by fire on New Year's Eve, church bells rang in their memory, tolling right across Switzerland to mark a national day of mourning. Immediately following a special memorial service, it was announced that one of the bar's owners had been detained.
Swiss prosecutors have deemed Jacques Moretti, a French national, a potential flight risk. He and his wife Jessica, also French, are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Victims' families have been vocal about their demand for justice, and the community's frustration grows as the investigation into the fire continues.
During the main ceremony in Martigny, relatives of the deceased gathered, many holding white roses. Survivors shared their harrowing experiences from that night. One woman named Marie described it as 'apocalyptic,' recalling screams and the overpowering smell of burning flesh.
Le Constellation bar is still shrouded in plastic sheets, with disturbing details emerging about the catastrophe: videos revealed that a sparkler ignited flammable soundproofing material, and blocked exits contributed to the chaos. Locally, authorities admitted they hadn't conducted mandatory safety checks in five years, raising serious questions about accountability.
Relatives are left seeking answers as calls for justice escalate. Conversations are ongoing in Italy too, where six citizens lost their lives. Leaders from both nations are demanding clarity on how this disaster occurred, prompting an urgent review of safety regulations.
As the community continues to mourn, memorial tributes are accumulating in Crans. Survivors of the fire face long recovery journeys, grappling not only with physical injuries but also the emotional toll of the tragic events.
Swiss prosecutors have deemed Jacques Moretti, a French national, a potential flight risk. He and his wife Jessica, also French, are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Victims' families have been vocal about their demand for justice, and the community's frustration grows as the investigation into the fire continues.
During the main ceremony in Martigny, relatives of the deceased gathered, many holding white roses. Survivors shared their harrowing experiences from that night. One woman named Marie described it as 'apocalyptic,' recalling screams and the overpowering smell of burning flesh.
Le Constellation bar is still shrouded in plastic sheets, with disturbing details emerging about the catastrophe: videos revealed that a sparkler ignited flammable soundproofing material, and blocked exits contributed to the chaos. Locally, authorities admitted they hadn't conducted mandatory safety checks in five years, raising serious questions about accountability.
Relatives are left seeking answers as calls for justice escalate. Conversations are ongoing in Italy too, where six citizens lost their lives. Leaders from both nations are demanding clarity on how this disaster occurred, prompting an urgent review of safety regulations.
As the community continues to mourn, memorial tributes are accumulating in Crans. Survivors of the fire face long recovery journeys, grappling not only with physical injuries but also the emotional toll of the tragic events.
