Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Swiss bar owner had criminal past
A very sad accident happened in Switzerland at a bar called Le Constellation where people were celebrating New Year's Eve.
Sadly, 40 people died, and many others got hurt.
The owner of the bar, Jacques Moretti, has a criminal past.
He was convicted of pimping in 2008 and was banned from managing companies in France.
He also owned two other establishments in Switzerland.
The police are still trying to find out what caused the explosion.
The bar had not been checked for safety in five years.
The area is now closed off, and no planes are allowed to fly over it.
The police and firefighters came to help right away.
Jacques Moretti and his wife are facing charges for manslaughter by negligence.
A fire and explosion at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed 40 people and injured others during New Year celebrations.
The bar had not undergone an annual safety inspection for the last five years despite regulations.
The owner of the bar, Jacques Moretti, has a criminal past and was convicted of pimping in 2008.
Moretti was banned from managing companies in France but owned three establishments in Switzerland.
Moretti and his wife, Jessica Moretti, are facing charges for manslaughter by negligence.
- Who
- Jacques Moretti, owner of Le Constellation bar, and his wife Jessica Moretti
- What
- Jacques Moretti's criminal past and current charges for manslaughter by negligence
- When
- January 6, 2024, at around 1:30 am (0030 GMT)
- Where
- Crans-Montana, Switzerland, specifically at Le Constellation bar
- Why
- The cause of the explosion is unknown, and the bar had not undergone an annual inspection for the last five years
- Location
- Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- Date
- January 6, 2024
- Time of Incident
- 1:30 am (0030 GMT)
- Number of Victims
- 40 killed, others injured
- Bar Name
- Le Constellation
- Last Inspection
- Five years overdue
- Emergency Response
- Major emergency response underway
- No-Fly Zone
- Imposed over Crans-Montana
- Bar Owner
- Jacques Moretti
- Owner's Criminal Past
- Convicted of pimping in 2008
- Owner's Establishments
- Le Constellation, Le Senso, Le Vieux-Chalet
- Charges Facing Owner
- Manslaughter by negligence
Sources
Swiss bar's safety inspection overdue by five years before tragic fire that killed 40, says mayor
Swiss Alps bar fire sparks outrage as officials admit safety inspections lapsed for years
Swiss bar owner recruited sex workers for 'Hot Rabbit' massage parlour in Geneva
