Crans-Montana Fire: National Coordinators Appointed for French Victims

Investigations continue into the New Year’s Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which claimed the lives of 40 people and injured 119 others. As of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, authorities have identified all of the deceased, and a criminal investigation is underway.

The fire, which erupted early Thursday, January 1, 2026, prompted a national day of mourning in Switzerland on Friday, January 9, 2026. A minute of silence was observed across the country, including at the main station in Zurich, as the scale of the tragedy became clear.

Among the 40 victims, 20 were minors, ranging in age from 14 to 17. The youngest victim was a 14-year-old boy from France. Nine minors were French citizens, with additional representation from Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, and a boy with French, Israeli, and British citizenship. The oldest victim was 39 years old.

The bar owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti from France, were auditioned by the Valais public prosecutor’s office in Sion on January 9, 2026. They have been placed in pre-trial detention. Police have charged the pair with negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson.

The investigation is focused on determining any further criminal liabilities. Authorities stated that the suspects do not pose a flight risk and there is no indication they intend to evade proceedings.

International Response and Victim Support

The tragedy prompted an international response, with 38 patients suffering severe burns being transferred to hospitals in Belgium, France, and Italy for specialized care. The European Union’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been involved in coordinating support.

Recognizing the complex needs of the victims and their families, the French Ministry of Justice appointed Dominique Ferrière, a retired magistrate, and Emmanuel Douhaire, a former judicial administrator, as national coordinators to oversee all support mechanisms for French citizens affected by the fire. They will act as a liaison between victims, families, Swiss authorities, administrative bodies, insurers, and other relevant organizations.

The appointment of these coordinators comes after the Fédération nationale des victimes d’attentats et d’accidents collectifs (Fenvac) highlighted what it described as “disorganization” in the aid provided to victims and expressed concerns that French victims felt lost due to the complexity of the procedures.

Parallel Investigation in France

On January 5, 2026, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office opened a parallel investigation, referred to as an “enquête miroir,” to provide support to French families. This investigation aims to ensure that victims have access to judicial interlocutors within France, can provide statements to French police, and receive medical evaluations to assess their physical and psychological injuries.

The French investigation seeks to avoid what authorities term “secondary victimization” – additional harm caused to victims by the way institutions and individuals treat them. The French prosecutor’s office stated that the investigation will allow victims to be heard by French police (OCRVP), and to see a doctor near their home to evaluate their injuries.

The French Ministry of Justice emphasized the importance of ensuring appropriate compensation for victims, particularly given the large number of people hospitalized in France and across Europe. The coordinators will work to ensure regular information is provided to the victims.

The commune of Crans-Montana has already allocated over one million euros to support the victims, demonstrating a commitment to providing financial assistance in the wake of the disaster.

The circumstances surrounding the fire are still under investigation, with authorities seeking to understand the hazards that contributed to the tragedy. The scale of the loss and the international nature of the victims underscore the need for a thorough and transparent investigation.