Timeline of Events

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.

Fire at the Crans-Montana memorial: the place of remembrance dedicated to the victims caught fire (probably caused by a candle). No one injured. The memorial has to be dismantled; the book of condolences was saved.

41st death: an 18-year-old young man from Lutry (VD) died on 31 January at the Zurich hospital. The toll rises to 41 dead and 115 injured. 64 people remain hospitalised (23 in Switzerland, 41 abroad).

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".

Tribute ceremony concluded. More than 2000 people attended the ceremony at the CERM in Martigny. Speeches by Presidents Parmelin, Macron and Mattarella. Laying of roses in memory of the 40 victims.

Tribute ceremony at the CERM in Martigny: national minute of silence at 2 p.m., bells ringing for 5 minutes. Guy Parmelin promises measures: "We owe the victims the commitment to do everything possible so that such a catastrophe never happens again."

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

Ceremony broadcast in Crans-Montana: two giant screens installed at Place du Scandia (free access, no registration). Le Régent remains reserved for registered attendees.

Confirmed participants for 9 January: Presidents Macron and Mattarella, Grand Duke Henri (Luxembourg), PM de Wever (Belgium), President Metsola (European Parliament), Commissioner Lahbib (EU). 37 foreign delegations expected.

Restrictions for the 9 January ceremony: roads closed 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (Rue du Levant, Rue d'Octodure), Martigny-Bourg train suspended 11 a.m.-5 p.m., drones prohibited 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Italy: national minute of silence in all schools at 10:30 a.m. Milan declares a day of municipal mourning, flags at half-mast on public buildings.

HOTLINE CLOSED: The number 0848 112 117 is deactivated (low call volume). Alternatives: email line.help@police.vs.ch or tel. 027 326 56 56. Total: 1300 calls and 280 emails handled.

Visit by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider to the Sion hospital. She praises the "professionalism" of the medical teams.

Book of condolences: about 3000 messages published, 11000 awaiting moderation. Each page contains ~100 messages from Swiss and foreign nationals.

Repatriation: 5 of the 6 bodies of the Italian victims have arrived in Italy aboard a C-130 military aircraft.

The president of the municipality Nicolas Féraud refuses to resign: "You don't abandon ship in the middle of a storm."

CHANGE OF VENUE: The 9 January ceremony will be held in Martigny (CERM), not in Crans-Montana, due to the risk of avalanche. Start: 1:45 p.m.

Italian President Mattarella probably present on 9 January, according to diplomatic sources (ANSA). A ceremony in Italy is also planned, requested by PM Meloni.

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.

Massive school support system activated. Canton of Vaud: 70 psychologists deployed, 20 establishments have requested help. Gymnase de Chamblandes (Pully): 15 psychologists on site.

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

Emmanuel Macron will travel to Switzerland on 9 January for the tribute ceremony, accompanied by Minister Benjamin Haddad. Announcement by Maud Bregeon, government spokesperson.

Correction of the injured toll: 116 (not 119). Three people admitted to the emergency room were not related to the fire. 83 injured remain hospitalised.

116/116 injured identified. Nationalities: 68 Swiss, 21 French, 10 Italian, 4 Serbian, 2 Polish, 7 other nationalities, 4 dual nationals.

All 40 victims have been identified. All families have been notified. Toll: 22 Swiss + 18 foreign nationals, including 20 minors (14-39 years old).

France: 9 deaths confirmed (update from the Quai d'Orsay). The 'missing person' has died. Victims: 39, 33, 26, 24, 23, 20, 17, 15, 14 years old.

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

16 new victims identified. Youngest victim: a 14-year-old Swiss adolescent girl. A national day of mourning announced for 9 January.

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 4 victims identified and returned to their families: 2 Swiss women (21 and 16 years old), 2 Swiss men (18 and 16 years old).

France update (Quai d'Orsay): 16 French injured, 9 not located. 10 patients transferred to French hospitals.

The Confederation opens an online book of condolences to express sympathy to the victims: admin.ch/condoleances (FR/DE/IT/EN).

European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) activated. France offers 19 specialised beds (15 adult + 4 paediatric).

Identification of victims under way. The first identifications were confirmed on 2 January. 40 DVI specialists mobilised.

Call for blood donations. Stocks are under strain following the influx of seriously injured. Website: blutspende.ch

Press conference: leading hypothesis (incandescent candles → flashover). Toll: 40 deaths, 119 injured of whom 113 identified. Nationalities: 71 CH, 14 FR, 11 IT, 4 RS, 5 others. Public ceremony on 9 January in Crans-Montana.

CHUV Lausanne: the 22 severely burned patients hospitalised have been identified. Each of them is in a life-threatening condition.

Italian Minister Antonio Tajani travels to Crans-Montana. He meets the families, lays a wreath and praises the cooperation with Switzerland.

Update: 14 French injured hospitalised (source: 3:20 p.m. conference).

Press conference with President Guy Parmelin. Confirmed toll: 40 deaths, 115 injured of whom 80 in critical condition. Identification of the victims could take several days, even weeks. Flags at half-mast for 5 days.

The Le Régent Congress Center (Route des Mélèzes 28, 3963 Crans-Montana) is activated as a reception centre for families. Psychological support and collection of DNA/dental data for identification.

The Valais Council of State declares the "special situation". This legal status makes it possible to mobilise extra-cantonal and federal resources.

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

The President of the Confederation Guy Parmelin has cancelled his New Year's address. Quote: "What was to be a moment of joy has turned into a mourning that affects the whole country."

The Canton of Valais declares a state of emergency. 13 helicopters, 42 ambulances and more than 150 medical responders are mobilised.

Security perimeter established around the bar Le Constellation. Rue Centrale closed to traffic. No-fly zone activated.

A fire breaks out at the bar "Le Constellation" in Crans-Montana during the New Year's celebrations. Emergency services are immediately alerted.