The owners of a bar at a ski resort are set to undergo further interrogation in court regarding a tragic fire that resulted in the deaths of 40 individuals and left 116 others wounded.
This morning, Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti, who operate the Le Constellation bar, appeared for a hearing at the office of the public prosecutor of the Canton of Valais in Sion, Switzerland. The bar, located in the upscale Alpine ski destination of Crans-Montana, was engulfed in flames during a New Year’s celebration, leading to a chaotic evacuation process for the attendees.
Facing charges of manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson due to negligence, the French couple has been summoned for questioning as a result of the tragic incident which claimed the lives of mostly young victims and injured scores of others.
Reports suggest that Ms. Moretti allegedly fled the scene while patrons inside the bar were in distress. According to French media, as the flames engulfed the establishment on New Year’s Day, Jessica Moretti, who sustained an arm injury, was purportedly captured on security cameras escaping with the cash register.
Additionally, an Italian news outlet stated that Ms. Moretti made securing the cash register containing the day’s earnings a priority during her escape. CCTV footage supposedly shows the co-owner leaving the premises with the cash register that held the day’s cash proceeds.
The tragic blaze ranks among the most devastating in Swiss history, prompting tributes to be paid to the numerous casualties. Initial investigations suggest that the fire may have been triggered by candle sparklers being held too close to the ceiling, with authorities also probing whether the ceiling material, designed for sound insulation, met safety regulations.
Witnesses reported seeing a bartender lifting a colleague as she held a lit sparkler on a bottle, resulting in the rapid spread of flames that led to the collapse of the wooden ceiling. As people attempted to flee from the basement nightclub area through a narrow door and up stairs, a crowd surge occurred, contributing to injuries and fatalities.
It is estimated that 119 individuals sustained injuries during the fire, which swiftly engulfed the premises due to the presence of flammable materials. The victims, aged between 14 and 39, included Charlotte Niddam, who had received education in the United Kingdom.
Following the tragic incident, families of the victims have filed a legal complaint with the Swiss prosecutor’s office. A Geneva-based lawyer confirmed that each family had lodged a complaint and participated as plaintiffs in the legal proceedings.
Furthermore, Ms. Moretti and her spouse are accused of obstructing social media platforms in the aftermath of the deadly fire. Reports indicate that the Le Constellation bar deactivated its social media accounts during the rescue efforts.
Law enforcement authorities are now delving into the renovation work carried out in 2015 amid allegations of inadequate safety measures. Investigations will also focus on the availability and use of fire extinguishers and fire exits at the establishment.
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