Philenews

Cran Montana Bar Owner Released on Bail After New Year's Tragedy

Published January 23, 2026, 20:11
Cran Montana Bar Owner Released on Bail After New Year's Tragedy

Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the bar in Cran Montana where 40 people lost their lives on New Year's Eve, has been released on bail exceeding €200,000. The decision was made by a court in the Valais canton, while also imposing restrictive measures on Moretti, such as a ban on leaving Switzerland and a requirement to report daily to a police station. The tragedy was caused by sparks from fireworks igniting the soundproofing foam on the ceiling. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the fire and the responsibilities of the owners, while the community of Cran Montana admits the failure of safety checks on the building since 2019. The court recalls the presumption of innocence and emphasizes that the basic principle in Swiss criminal procedure is the freedom of the accused until trial.