Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the French managers of a ski resort bar where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Police announced on Saturday afternoon that a criminal investigation had been opened against Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica, 40, on Friday night.

The couple, who opened Le Constellation bar in 2015, have been placed under investigation over manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.

Mr Moretti broke cover for the first time on Saturday as he was pictured near their second restaurant Le Vieux Chalet. He said nothing when later approached by the Daily Mail outside their flat in Lens, near Crans-Montana where the fire occurred.

Asked if he had anything to say to the families of the dead and injured, Mr Moretti said simply ‘non’ before getting into a Jaguar car and driving off.

The inferno, which broke out at around 1.30am local time (12.30am GMT) on Thursday morning, killed at least 40 people and another 119 were injured.

Emanuele Galeppini, 17, was the first victim to be identified after his death was confirmed in an Instagram post by the Italian Golf Federation on Friday.

On Saturday, the Italian press named Chiara Costanzo, 16, from Milan as another victim of the devastating blaze.

According to the newspaper Il Giorno, her father Andrea Costanzo said: ‘I just received the phone call that should never come to a father. My beloved Chiara is no longer with us.’

Jacques Moretti who is one of the owners of a ski resort bar where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire is seen for the first time since the blaze
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Jacques Moretti who is one of the owners of a ski resort bar where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire is seen for the first time since the blaze

Mr Moretti, 49, broke cover on Saturday after he and his wife were placed under investigation
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Mr Moretti, 49, broke cover on Saturday after he and his wife were placed under investigation

Mr Moretti and his wife Jessica, who opened Le Constellation bar in 2015
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Mr Moretti and his wife Jessica, who opened Le Constellation bar in 2015

Emanuele Galeppini, 17, was the first victim to be identified after his death was confirmed in an Instagram post by the Italian Golf Federation on Friday
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Emanuele Galeppini, 17, was the first victim to be identified after his death was confirmed in an Instagram post by the Italian Golf Federation on Friday

Chiara Costanzo (pictured) was named in the Italian press as a victim of the blaze on Saturday
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Chiara Costanzo (pictured) was named in the Italian press as a victim of the blaze on Saturday

Police identified three victims of the tragedy earlier today as two Swiss women, aged 16 and 21, and two Swiss men, aged 16 and 18.

Further details including their names have not yet been released, but Valais canton police said their bodies have been returned to their families as efforts continue to identify the other victims.

Swiss officials described the blaze as a likely flashover, meaning that it triggered the release of combustible gases that can ignite violently.

Much suspicion has already focussed on the dimpled foam acoustic insulation which covered the ceiling of the basement bar and appeared to ignite from a sparkler held aloft on a Champagne bottle, then spread with terrifying ferocity.

Witnesses described the ensuing panic as revellers tried to escape from the nightclub area in the basement, up a flight of stairs and through a narrow door, causing a crowd surge.

Police announced on Saturday afternoon that a criminal investigation had been brought against the French couple who opened Le Constellation bar in 2015.

Valais Police said in a statement: ‘Crans-Montana: Criminal investigation opened against the operators of the ‘Le Constellation’ bar.

‘The initial findings of the investigation into the fire that occurred on 1 January 2026 at the ‘Le Constellation’ bar in Crans-Montana have led to the opening of a criminal investigation against the two operators of the establishment.

‘The fire, which broke out during the night of 1 January 2026, claimed the lives of 40 people and left 119 others injured, the majority of them seriously.

‘Following the completion of the initial investigative measures carried out under the direction of the Office of the Public Prosecutor of the Canton of Valais, a criminal investigation was formally opened last night against the two bar operators.

‘They are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson.

‘It is recalled that the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction has been handed down.’

A spokesperson refused to state the ages of the owners.

The entrance of the bar Le Constellation where a fire ripped through the venue during New Year's Eve celebrations in the Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana
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The entrance of the bar Le Constellation where a fire ripped through the venue during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana

A skier passes candles near the sealed off Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire during New Year's Eve celebrations
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A skier passes candles near the sealed off Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire during New Year’s Eve celebrations

Stéphane Ganzer, The Valais State Councillor in charge of Security, said: ‘Someone made a mistake, I am sure of it.’

Speaking on Swiss radio, he said: ‘A fire this serious in Switzerland, where we have professional standards and controls, means that something went wrong. There was an emergency exit, there were controls in place.

‘For me, the problem isn’t just the candles, but the ceiling.’

Parents of missing youths have issued desperate pleas for news of ​their children, as foreign embassies scramble to work out if their nationals were among ​those caught up in one of the worst tragedies to befall modern Switzerland.

Police commander Frédéric Gisler said all bar six of the 119 injured have been formally identified, but Swiss officials are yet to share the names of any victims or injured.

The injured included 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French and 11 Italians, along with citizens of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal and Poland, according to Frédéric Gisler, police commander of the Valais region.

The nationalities of 14 people were still unclear.

Six Italians are still missing and 13 hospitalised, while eight French people are missing and another nine are among the injured.


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A photo appears to show the moment champagne sparklers set fire to material on the ceiling of the Swiss nightclub

Footage shows the deadly flashover, when extreme heat caused everything inside the enclosed space to ignite almost at once, that left people little chance to flee
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Footage shows the deadly flashover, when extreme heat caused everything inside the enclosed space to ignite almost at once, that left people little chance to flee

The bar's security guard, 31-year-old Stefan Ivanovic (left)  is also reported to be missing.
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The bar’s security guard, 31-year-old Stefan Ivanovic (left)  is also reported to be missing.

Emanuele was the first victim to have been named following the deadly fire, with the Italian Golf Federation paying tribute to the teen as a ‘young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values’.

The Italian teenager, who was based in Dubai, was a member of the Italian national team and his best rank was 2440th, and was well known in the UAE junior and amateur golfing scene, according to GolfDigestme.com.

He was pictured with golfing legend Rory McIlroy last year and was widely regarded as a promising young talent, competing regularly across the Middle East and Europe.

The second victim to be named by Italian media is 16-year-old Chiara.

Her devastated father told a Milan-based newspaper: ‘Without warning, your world collapses. You’re never ready. You can’t be. It’s unnatural for a father to lose his daughter.’

Through tears, her friends added: ‘They tell us she didn’t make it. We’re devastated. She’s like a sister to us.’

British-educated teenager Charlotte Niddam, who previously attended Immanuel College – a private Jewish school in Hertfordshire – is also among those missing.

A statement issued by Immanuel College read: ‘We are reaching out with an urgent request for our school community to come together in support of Charlotte Niddam.

British-educated Charlotte Niddam is among the missing after a deadly fire tore through a bar in the Swiss Alps
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British-educated Charlotte Niddam is among the missing after a deadly fire tore through a bar in the Swiss Alps

The schoolgirl, believed to be 15, has not been heard from since a fire tore through a packed bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland
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The schoolgirl, believed to be 15, has not been heard from since a fire tore through a packed bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland

‘Charlotte was a student at Immanuel College, and her family have now moved back to France.

‘The families have asked that we all keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.

‘We are all praying for a miracle for Charlotte and the others, and want the families to feel the full strength of the Immanuel College community’s support’.

Friends at her former UK school posted a series of pictures of Charlotte on TikTok.

One friend called Mia wrote on the social platform: ‘My sweet sweet special Lottie I love you more than the meaning of life. I need my best friend I miss you.’

The bar’s security guard, 31-year-old Stefan Ivanovic, is also reported to be missing.

Speaking to Sky News, Stefan’s friend said he has not heard from the security guard since the fire.

‘I sent him a message telling him that I love him and that we’re waiting for some news,’ he said.