Swiss authorities announced the opening of a criminal investigation against the two managers of the bar that caught fire on New Year's Eve in Crans-Montana, which left 40 dead and 119 injured.

The owners of the 'Le Constellation' bar, who are French nationals, “are accused of negligent homicide, negligent bodily injury, and arson "Caused by negligence," said authorities in the canton of Valais. The investigation will have to determine the responsibility of the couple, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, in the tragedy that occurred just over an hour after the start of the New Year. The prosecutor's office in charge of the case pointed to flares that ignited the basement ceiling of the establishment as the cause of the fire. Authorities warned that identifying the victims will take several days, but ante-mortem files have already been opened for the missing in collaboration with several countries. People continued to bring flowers, candles, and small stuffed animals to the vicinity of the burned-out bar on Saturday, in the heart of this luxurious ski resort in the Swiss Alps. "Switzerland is deeply saddened. The world needs to know who is responsible," declared Swiss Minister of Justice and Police, Beat Jans, who visited the site.