Judicial timeline

Confrontation hearing of the Moretti couple in Sion (about eleven hours). Jessica Moretti is notified of a new charge — forgery of documents — over a false invoice linked to the acoustic foam.

The investigation into the fire at the «Vieux Chalet» — another Moretti establishment destroyed by fire in February 2024 — is reopened. Suspicions of insurance fraud are raised following a report.

The Federal Council appoints Laurent Kurth, a former Neuchâtel cantonal minister, to chair the round table tasked with facilitating out-of-court settlements between victims, families, insurers and authorities.

The Public Prosecutor's office refuses to appoint an extraordinary prosecutor requested by a civil-party lawyer. An appeal to the Federal Supreme Court is announced.

The Moretti couple is placed under investigation in Italy. The Rome prosecutor's office, coordinating its investigations with Switzerland, is investigating for multiple involuntary manslaughter and arson. Six of the victims were Italian.

The Criminal Chamber of the Cantonal Court rejects the requests to recuse the prosecutors handling the case (Attorney General Béatrice Pilloud, Deputy Attorney General Catherine Seppey and two other prosecutors). An appeal is announced.

A national ban on lighting pyrotechnic articles in premises open to the public comes into force — an immediate measure decided as part of the revision of the Swiss fire protection regulations (AEAI). The new regulations are expected in autumn 2027.

Investigation extended to five current and former municipal officials, including the president of the Crans-Montana municipality, Nicolas Féraud. The number of defendants rises to nine. All face charges of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson.

The Federal Council proposes an urgent law for the victims: a solidarity contribution of CHF 50,000 per victim (injured persons and families of the deceased) and a round table bringing together victims, families, insurers and authorities for out-of-court settlements.

Investigation widened: the Public Prosecutor's office charges the current and the former safety officer of the municipality. 4 people are now indicted. The former officer was a lumberjack by training (10 days of fire-safety training); his successor had failed the required examination.

The Coercive Measures Court (TMC) confirms the pre-trial detention of Jacques Moretti for 3 months. Letter rogatory between Rome and Valais.

Jacques Moretti placed in pre-trial detention. At the end of the hearing, the co-manager (49 years old) is incarcerated due to flight risk (French nationality). Jessica Moretti remains free after expressing the wish to "apologise to all the victims".

First hearing of the Constellation's managers: Jacques and Jessica Moretti appear this morning as defendants. Questioning about their personal situation.

Municipal press conference: probably no fire alarm and only one extinguisher in the bar. Pyrotechnic devices now prohibited in enclosed venues.

Revision of the Swiss fire-protection law suspended indefinitely. Jean-François Steiert (AIET) questions self-monitoring vs official inspections.

Mirror investigation opened in Paris to support the French families. A complaint filed by parents through attorney Jean-Luc Addor.

The municipality acknowledges a "failure in the periodic inspections from 2020 to 2025". The bar had not been inspected since 2019.

Withdrawal of the operating licence for La Petite Maison confirmed with immediate effect. The decision is subject to appeal.

La Petite Maison closed. The municipal council withdraws the operating licence of the second establishment of the Constellation's manager. Immediate closure.

'Fountains' (pyrotechnic devices) identified as the probable cause of the fire. No pre-trial detention for the managers.

Criminal proceedings opened against the bar's French managers: accused of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson. Visit by Federal Councillor Beat Jans to Crans-Montana.

First official press conference. Prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud confirms that it is a fire. It is NOT a terrorist attack.