Swiss prosecutors yeserday said they had ordered one of the two owners of a ski resort bar where a fire on New Year’s Day killed 40 people to be detained due to flight risk, with local media saying the order had been carried out.
Prosecutors are investigating the French owners on suspicion of crimes including homicide by negligence, while victims’ families have filed legal complaints over the fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana in the Canton of Valais.
Shortly after Swiss newspaper 24 Heures reported that one of the couple, Jacques Moretti, has been remanded in custody, prosecutors said they had issued an order for him to be held.
Under Swiss law, a person is held in custody until a court rules within 48 hours on whether their detention is warranted.
The Valais police declined to comment.
Earlier, Jacques and Jessica Moretti entered the prosecutors’ office in the town of Sion for a hearing. Hours later, video footage from Swiss broadcaster RTS showed Jessica Moretti leaving without her husband.
“My thoughts are constantly with the victims of this unimaginable tragedy that took place in our establishment, and I would like to apologise to all the victims and those who are still struggling today,” she said.
Swiss authorities have designated Friday a national day of mourning and church bells rang out across the country to honour victims.
Several French and Italian citizens were among the dead, and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for stern punishment to be meted out to those responsible for the blaze. Italian President Sergio Mattarella and French President Emmanuel Macron joined Swiss leaders, victims’ families and firemen carrying white roses at a ceremony in the town of Martigny.
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