A judge in Switzerland has ordered that one of the two co-owners of the ski resort bar where 40 people died in a fire on New Year's Eve be kept in detention for 90 days.
Swiss prosecutors have argued that Jacques Moretti, a French national, is a potential flight risk. He and his wife Jessica, who is also French, are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
The blaze at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana also left 116 people injured. Many of the victims were aged under 20.
The fire is believed to have been started by sparklers in champagne bottles raised too close to the ceiling during celebrations.
Authorities acknowledged last week that the bar in the popular ski resort had not undergone safety checks for five years.
The couple were placed under criminal investigation days after the devastating fire. Moretti's wife, Jessica, who is under house arrest, expressed her sorrow over the 'unthinkable tragedy,' as they face serious allegations following the incident.
The court's decision for provisional detention is meant to last until a case goes to court and may be lifted upon payment of bail. This decision indicates significant concerns regarding accountability and safety in public venues, as the investigation continues to unfold.
Jacques Moretti was first detained on Friday for an initial period of 48 hours and now faces a prolonged custody period due to the severity of the incident and the implications of ongoing investigations into safety standards at the bar.
Mayor Nicolas Feraud has stated that sparklers will be banned in local venues following the incident, responding to a profound sense of responsibility to the victims' families.
