“I Can No Longer Stay Silent”: Mother of 17-Year-Old Trystan Accuses Crans-Montana Authorities in Heart-Wrenching Outburst After Deadly Bar Fire

In the shadow of Switzerland’s devastating New Year’s Eve tragedy at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, grief has given way to raw anger. One mother’s voice now cuts through the national mourning with piercing clarity: “The blood of my son is on the hands of the Crans-Montana authorities.”

These anguished words belong to the mother of Trystan, a 17-year-old who sent her a loving New Year’s message just hours before perishing in the flames that claimed 40 lives and injured 119 others on January 1, 2026. Her public accusation, delivered amid tears and unyielding fury, marks a turning point in the aftermath—transforming private sorrow into a powerful demand for accountability.

Here are haunting images of makeshift memorials outside the sealed-off Le Constellation bar, where families and locals laid flowers, candles, and messages amid heavy snowfall, symbolizing the community’s collective heartbreak:

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Trystan, like many of the victims—mostly teenagers and young adults from Switzerland, France, Italy, and beyond—was drawn to the popular venue for its festive New Year’s Eve atmosphere. Affordable drinks, free entry, and a lively crowd made it a go-to spot for youth celebrations, despite the canton’s rules restricting unaccompanied minors under 16 after 22:00 in licensed venues.

His final message to his mother—a simple, affectionate greeting—arrived shortly after midnight. By 1:26 a.m., the fire erupted, believed to have started when lit sparklers on champagne bottles were held too close to the ceiling, igniting flammable materials. The blaze spread rapidly through the basement bar, trapping revelers amid chaos. Emergency exits were reportedly inadequate or blocked, with witnesses and families later revealing that some victims were found near locked or obstructed doors.

These visuals capture the silent processions and gatherings that swept Crans-Montana in the days following the fire, as hundreds marched in quiet tribute to honor the lost:

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The mother’s statement echoes growing outrage over systemic failures. In an astonishing admission, Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Féraud revealed that the bar had not undergone a fire safety inspection since 2019—despite annual checks being mandated by local law. Previous inspections had noted only minor issues, but the lapse in enforcement has fueled accusations of negligence. A criminal investigation targets the French co-owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, for possible homicide and arson by negligence, with one owner arrested shortly after the tragedy.

Experts and legal observers point to broader responsibility: While fire safety standards are harmonized nationally, enforcement falls to cantonal and municipal authorities. Constitutional law professor Andreas Stöckli noted that the Crans-Montana shortcomings appear tied to lax oversight rather than federal flaws. Families’ lawyers argue that investigators have not moved quickly enough, amplifying calls for transparency.

The bar’s liability insurer, Axa, covers around CHF 30 million—deemed insufficient for the hundreds of millions in potential claims, including lifetime burn treatment costs estimated at CHF 1 million per severe victim. The Valais canton established a support fund offering CHF 10,000 per hospitalized or deceased victim, alongside a public donation account.

Here are poignant scenes from the memorials and silent marches, where communities united in grief while questions of responsibility lingered:

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Trystan’s mother refuses to let her son’s death fade into statistics. Her refusal to stay silent—declaring that authorities’ inaction contributed directly to the preventable loss—resonates with other families. One mother described her daughter, a former waitress familiar with the emergency exits, being found trapped before a blocked door. Calls for nationwide safety reviews in bars and nightspots have intensified, with new measures already announced in neighboring cantons.

A national day of mourning on January 9, 2026, saw flags at half-mast and a memorial ceremony attended by top officials. Yet, as the initial shock recedes, the focus shifts from condolences to consequences. The mother’s words—“I can no longer stay silent”—serve as a rallying cry, demanding answers about why inspections were skipped, why exits failed, and why a night of celebration turned apocalyptic.

In the weeks since, survivors continue treatment across Europe, repatriations proceed, and the investigation deepens. Trystan’s story, like those of Arthur Brodard and dozens more, underscores the fragility of youth and the cost of oversight. His mother’s accusation refuses to fade, ensuring that the questions—and the quest for justice—demand answers long after the flames were extinguished.