The owners of a ski resort bar are under scrutiny in court for a tragic fire that claimed the lives of 40 individuals and left 116 others injured.
Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti, proprietors of Le Constellation bar, appeared for questioning at the public prosecutor’s office in Sion, Switzerland, following the fire at the upscale Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana during a New Year’s celebration. The couple faces charges of manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson due to negligence, prompted by the loss of 40 lives, mostly teenagers, and injuries sustained by 116 individuals in the fire.
The incident, considered one of Switzerland’s deadliest fires, resulted in tributes being paid to the victims. Allegedly, the blaze ignited when candle sparklers were held too close to the ceiling. Authorities are investigating whether the ceiling material, designed for soundproofing, met safety regulations.
Witnesses recounted seeing a male bartender hoisting a female colleague on his shoulders with a lit sparkler, leading to the fire’s rapid spread and the collapse of the wooden ceiling. Survivors described chaotic escape attempts, with people breaking windows and facing severe injuries.
Rescue efforts were aided by individuals like Gianni Campolo and Marc-Antoine Chavanon, who witnessed and assisted in the harrowing scenes of injuries and burns. The tragedy claimed the lives of 40 individuals aged between 14 and 39, including Charlotte Niddam, who was educated in Britain.
Families of the victims have lodged legal complaints with the Swiss prosecutor’s office, with lawyer Romain Jordan confirming each family’s participation in the proceedings. Police are investigating the 2015 renovation work amid concerns over safety standards, fire extinguisher usage, and fire exit protocols.
In an interview with Tribune de Genève newspaper, Mr. Moretti defended the bar’s safety record, stating it had been inspected multiple times over a decade and operated within regulatory standards. The Morettis own two other establishments in Crans-Montana and Lens.
