This thread brings together the criminal procedural acts, the federal compensation measures and the prevention decisions linked to the tragedy, from 1 January 2026 to today. For the full sequence of all events, see the general timeline.
A public planning application document concerning the alteration of the Constellation's terrace was falsified in December 2025, two weeks before the fire: a civil engineer's name appeared on it without his knowledge, as the project draughtsman lacked the diploma now required in Valais to sign plans. The engineer reported the matter to the police.
Questioned on 28 July by the prosecutors, Chermignon's former safety officer states that no thorough inspection took place before the Constellation opened in December 2015. He filled in the fire safety document without visiting the site, working from plans and photomontages. The basement works, where the acoustic foam was located, were never inspected.
Rose-Marie Clavien, former municipal councillor for construction of Crans-Montana (2017-2024), becomes the seventeenth defendant. She is accused over the 2017 opening of the cigar bar fitted out in the Constellation's basement without official authorisation. The defendants are now the Moretti couple, eight elected or former elected officials and seven municipal employees or former employees.
Jacques Moretti is placed in pre-trial detention in proceedings separate from the fire investigation, on suspicion of violence against his wife, herself a defendant in the Constellation case. Two confrontation hearings of the couple are scheduled for November and December.
Thibault Beytrison, former municipal councillor for security of Crans-Montana (2017-2020) and former head of the fire and rescue centre (2008-2014), becomes the sixteenth defendant. His hearing is set for 29 September.
The compulsory measures court extends by three months, until 9 October, the substitute measures applying to the Moretti couple: a ban on leaving Swiss territory and a daily reporting requirement at a police station.
The Valais public prosecutor's office denies the Italian Republic the status of civil party: neither the Italian nationality of several victims nor the costs incurred to assist its nationals confer the status of injured party. An appeal is filed.
One of the three prosecutors leading the investigation will leave the Public Prosecutor's office on 31 December 2026 for a new professional opportunity. The investigation is now conducted by deputy attorney general Catherine Seppey and the remaining prosecutor.
Alain Mittaz, former vice-president of Chermignon and former municipal councillor of Crans-Montana, becomes the fifteenth defendant. He chaired Chermignon's fire commission during the 2015 conversion works.
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.
Civil parties' hearings: Jacques (11 Feb.) then Jessica Moretti (12 Feb.) questioned in Sion by the victims' lawyers. The couple was violently confronted by relatives at the building's entrance.
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.
Jacques Moretti released on bail: payment of CHF 200'000, financed by a Geneva businessman. Substitute measures for both spouses. Indignation among the victims' families.
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.
Damning 2019 video resurfaces. A waiter warns 'Watch out for the foam!'. The danger of the ceiling materials had been known for years.
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.