Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Swiss bar fire: Owner arrested, 40 mourned
A very sad fire happened at a bar in Switzerland on New Year's Eve.
The fire killed 40 people, most of them teenagers.
One of the victims was a 16-year-old soccer player named Arthur Brodard.
His funeral was held in Lutry, Switzerland, with many of his teammates and family attending.
Arthur's mother described him as kind and responsible.
The bar where the fire happened had not been inspected since 2019, and authorities are investigating why this happened.
The owners of the bar, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are being investigated for possible negligence.
Jacques Moretti was detained to avoid a 'risk of flight,' while Jessica was allowed to remain free under judicial supervision.
Many of the victims were from different countries, and their families and communities are very sad.
Schools are providing support to help students and teachers cope with the loss.
The presidents of France and Italy are expected to attend a memorial ceremony to remember the victims.
Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old soccer player, was laid to rest in Lutry, Switzerland, after dying in a New Year's Eve bar fire.
The fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana killed 40 people, mostly teenagers, and injured 116 others.
Brodard's mother described him as 'responsible and kind' and shared his last text to her: 'Happy New Year mum. I love you'.
The bar had not had a mandatory inspection since 2019, raising questions about safety standards.
Swiss prosecutors are investigating the owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, on suspicion of homicide by negligence, while victims' families have filed legal complaints. Jacques Moretti was detained to avoid a 'risk of flight,' while Jessica was allowed to remain free under judicial supervision.
- Who
- Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old soccer player, and 39 others, including mostly teenagers
- What
- A fatal fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- When
- New Year's Eve, with funerals held on January 8 and a national day of mourning on January 9
- Where
- Crans-Montana, Switzerland; funerals in Lutry and Lausanne; memorial ceremony in Martigny
- Why
- The cause is under investigation, with questions about safety standards and the use of sparkling candles
Prosecution
Defense
Negligence
Prosecution
Prosecutors allege the owners committed homicide by negligence due to lack of safety measures and inspections.
Defense
The owners claim they cooperated fully with the investigation and expressed remorse, suggesting the incident was unintentional.
- Victim's Name
- Arthur Brodard
- Age
- 16
- Location of Funeral
- Lutry, Switzerland
- Number of Victims from Lutry Football Club
- 7
- Total Death Toll
- 40
- Last Contact
- Texted mother 'Happy New Year mum. I love you'
- Bar Inspection Status
- Not inspected since 2019
- Nationalities of Victims
- Swiss (21), French (7), Italian (6), Swiss-French (1), French-British-Israeli (1), Romanian (1), Turkish (1), Belgian (1), Portuguese (1)
- Owners of the Bar
- Jacques and Jessica Moretti
- Investigation Suspicions
- Homicide by negligence, manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, arson by negligence
- Number of Injured
- 116
- Presumed Cause of Fire
- Sparkling candles setting foam soundproofing alight
- National Day of Mourning
- January 9
- Attendees of Memorial Ceremony
- Presidents of France and Italy
- Owner's Detention Status
- Jacques Moretti detained, Jessica Moretti free under judicial supervision
Sources
Teen soccer player who died in Swiss bar fire laid to rest
Teen soccer players lay to rest mate killed in Swiss bar fire
Swiss prosecutors summon owners of ski resort bar after deadly blaze
Owner of Swiss ski bar where 40 people were killed in blaze on New Year's eve taken into custody
Swiss prosecutors summon owners of bar after deadly blaze, paper says one detained
Owner Of Swiss Bar Le Constellation, Where 40 People Died In New Year’s Eve Fire, Arrested
Swiss prosecutors order detention of owner of bar in deadly blaze
