Tragedy brought people together in Crans-Montana and brought the country to a standstill. On Friday, just down the road from the bar where 40 young people were killed by fire on New Year's Eve, church bells rang in their memory. They tolled right across Switzerland, to mark a national day of mourning. Then, moments after the last notes of a special memorial service had faded, came the news that one of the bar's owners had been detained.
Swiss prosecutors said Jacques Moretti, a French national, was a potential flight risk. He and his wife Jessica, who is also French, are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Many of the victims' families had demanded action like this from the start; more than a week after the fire, the anger in this community has been increasing.
At the main ceremony in Martigny, relatives of the dead were joined by survivors. Some had come from hospital for the memorial. People held white roses in their laps and gripped each other's hands for support. The images we faced were unbearable. A scene worse than a nightmare. Screams ringing out in the icy cold, the smell of burning. It was apocalyptic, a young woman called Marie told the audience.
Listening in the front row were the presidents of France and Italy, whose citizens were among those killed and injured in the fire. Both countries have opened their own investigations. Italy's prime minister vowed to ensure all those responsible were identified, questioning the lack of safety measures that led to chaos during the incident.
Nine days on, Le Constellation remains obscured from view behind white plastic sheets. Mobile phone footage indicates that a sparkler tied to a champagne bottle started the fire, igniting soundproofing foam that was never safety tested. As panic ensued, overcrowded exits led to tragic delays in evacuations.
In light of the investigation, questions linger about local authorities failing to conduct mandatory safety checks for five years, raising serious concerns about systemic safety protocols within the hospitality industry. The event has left a community and a nation grappling with grief and a demand for justice as victims and families navigate the aftermath of this horrific tragedy.
Swiss prosecutors said Jacques Moretti, a French national, was a potential flight risk. He and his wife Jessica, who is also French, are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Many of the victims' families had demanded action like this from the start; more than a week after the fire, the anger in this community has been increasing.
At the main ceremony in Martigny, relatives of the dead were joined by survivors. Some had come from hospital for the memorial. People held white roses in their laps and gripped each other's hands for support. The images we faced were unbearable. A scene worse than a nightmare. Screams ringing out in the icy cold, the smell of burning. It was apocalyptic, a young woman called Marie told the audience.
Listening in the front row were the presidents of France and Italy, whose citizens were among those killed and injured in the fire. Both countries have opened their own investigations. Italy's prime minister vowed to ensure all those responsible were identified, questioning the lack of safety measures that led to chaos during the incident.
Nine days on, Le Constellation remains obscured from view behind white plastic sheets. Mobile phone footage indicates that a sparkler tied to a champagne bottle started the fire, igniting soundproofing foam that was never safety tested. As panic ensued, overcrowded exits led to tragic delays in evacuations.
In light of the investigation, questions linger about local authorities failing to conduct mandatory safety checks for five years, raising serious concerns about systemic safety protocols within the hospitality industry. The event has left a community and a nation grappling with grief and a demand for justice as victims and families navigate the aftermath of this horrific tragedy.
