Swiss authorities detain owner of bar where New Year’s fire killed 40

Switzerland holds national day of mourning to remember victims of deadly fire in ski resort town of Crans-Montana.Published On 9 Jan 2026Swiss prosecutors have requested that one of the owners of a bar where a massive New Year’s Eve fire killed 40 people and injured dozens be placed in pre-trial detention.The Valais region’s chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said in a statement on Friday that the detention of the man, Jacques Moretti, was needed to avoid a “risk of flight”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Swiss police identify all bodies after deadly New Year’s Eve bar firelist 2 of 3Swiss officials face painful task of identifying victims of deadly bar firelist 3 of 3Swiss launch criminal investigation over deadly fire at ski resort barend of listMoretti’s wife and co-manager, Jessica Moretti, will remain free under judicial supervision, the statement said.Authorities have been investigating the owners of La Constellation bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana on suspicion of crimes, including homicide by negligence.Under Swiss law, a person is held in custody until a court rules within 48 hours on whether their detention is warranted.Moretti’s detention comes as Switzerland held a national day of mourning on Friday for the victims of the blaze, pausing for a minute of silence before church bells rang out across the country.An official ceremony to commemorate the victims, held in the town of Martigny, was attended by about 1,000 people, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever.Macron, left, and Mattarella walk with white roses during the ceremony in Martigny, Switzerland, on January 9, 2026 [Fabrice Coffrini/Pool via AP Photo]“Our country is devastated by this tragedy,” Swiss President Guy Parmelin said at the ceremony.“We honour the memory of those who were lost, and we stand beside those now facing a long journey of recovery,” he said.