Owner of Swiss inferno bar is taken into custody after being deemed a ‘flight risk’ as he
- This story is developing, more to follow
The owner of the Swiss bar where a blaze killed 40 people on New Year’s Eve has been arrested, following an order from Swiss prosecutors.
Jacques Moretti has been detained as he poses a potential flight risk, Swiss media reported.
He was taken into custody today in the town of Sion, following a lengthy hearing with investigators.
Prosecutors are investigating the French owners, Jacques and his wife, Jessica, of the Le Constellation bar on suspicion of crimes including homicide by negligence.
They believe the blaze started when champagne bottles with sparklers attached were raised too close to sound insulation foam on the ceiling in the bar’s basement section.
Experts have suggested that what appeared to be highly flammable foam may have caused a so-called flashover – a near-simultaneous ignition of everything in an enclosed space, trapping many of the young patrons.
Video footage which has emerged from the tragedy shows young people desperately trying to flee the scene, some breaking windows to try to force their way out.
There were fears Jacques and Jessica may flee the country and use their French passports to evade justice, as France does not extradite its citizens.
It comes just five days after prosecutors in Valais said: ‘No coercive measures have been ordered against the defendants, given that the criteria for pre-trial detention are not currently met’.
Jacques Moretti (pictured) has been detained as he poses a potential flight risk
Prosecutors’ previous statement added: ‘Currently, there is no suspicion that the defendants intend to evade criminal proceedings or the foreseeable punishment by fleeing. The other criteria, namely the risk of recidivism or collusion, are not taken into consideration’.
Most of those impacted by the inferno at Le Constellation were Swiss, but a total of 19 nationalities were among the fatalities and the wounded, including nine French victims.
Half of those killed in the blaze were under 18, including some as young as 14.
More to follow.