Investigation into Fatal Fire at Swiss Resort Bar
In a tragic incident, a fire at a Swiss resort bar led to the deaths of 40 people on New Year’s Eve. It’s reported that the bar’s owner fled with the cash while patrons struggled to escape the flames, and now two owners face charges for allegedly destroying evidence following the disaster.
Jessica Moretti, the 40-year-old owner, is accused of abandoning terrified guests at Le Constellation as it was engulfed in fire. Witnesses claim to have seen her carrying a cash register, as noted by La Repubblica.
Jessica and her husband, Jacques Moretti, who co-owned the popular Crans-Montana nightclub since 2015, are currently being investigated for manslaughter related to the deaths of 119 other individuals who suffered severe injuries during the chaotic scene.
Jessica reportedly suffered minor burns on one arm while fleeing the scene. Investigators now aim to reconstruct the event by examining cellphone videos, CCTV footage from inside the bar, and images from a nearby streetlight camera.
According to lawyer Romain Jourdan, representing some of the 116 injured victims (many being teenagers), the club suspended its Facebook and Instagram accounts during the rescue operations. He stated that the social media accounts were inactive from 3 AM to 6:30 AM while emergency services were trying to manage the situation.
Jourdan mentioned that the deleted accounts included videos of packed holiday celebrations, indicating that security concerns were a priority for the club’s management.
The incident reportedly began at around 1:30 AM when a sparkler attached to a champagne bottle ignited the ceiling, causing the fire to spread rapidly.
Jacques Moretti, who was not present during the fire, maintained in a media interview that everything complied with safety regulations, noting that inspections had occurred three times over the last decade.
However, Jourdan has urged prosecutors to investigate the Crans-Montana City Council further, as it was revealed the bar had not passed a safety inspection since 2019.
In a statement, the Morettis expressed their devastation and commitment to cooperating with the investigation, asserting they would not evade responsibility.
Some attorneys for the victims voiced concern over the decision not to keep the Morettis in custody, worrying they might flee to France, which has a lenient extradition policy.
Jourdan expressed surprise that prosecutors did not impose a bail condition requiring the couple to make a court deposit.
Reports from French media revealed that Jacques has a significant criminal record spanning over 20 years, with allegations including cases of pimping and kidnapping.
This unfolding situation has left many demanding accountability and answers regarding the events leading to the fire and the subsequent actions of its owners.
