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All 40 Victims Identified as Criminal Probe Advances in Crans-Montana Bar Fire

Investigators now focus on whether indoor sparklers ignited flammable ceiling foam.

Overview

  • Valais police confirmed the formal identification of all 40 fatalities, including 22 Swiss, seven French, six Italian, two Romanian, and one each from Portugal, Belgium and Turkey.
  • The bar’s managers, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are under investigation for negligent homicide, negligent bodily injury and negligent arson, with no pretrial detention ordered.
  • Prosecutors describe a working hypothesis that bottle-mounted sparklers ignited the basement ceiling as experts scrutinize acoustic-foam materials, permits, inspections and evacuation routes.
  • Authorities report 119 injured, many in critical condition, with dozens transferred to burn units in France, Belgium, Germany and Italy as Swiss hospitals faced capacity strains.
  • Early questions are surfacing about the rescue and medical response, even as forensic and technical inquiries continue and officials emphasize the presumption of innocence.