The owners of a ski resort bar are under scrutiny in court due to a tragic fire that resulted in the loss of 40 lives and left 116 individuals injured.
Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti of Le Constellation bar attended a hearing at the public prosecutor’s office in Sion, Switzerland, this morning. The fire occurred during a New Year celebration at the upscale Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, causing victims to struggle to escape the premises.
The French couple is facing charges of manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson due to negligence. Following the blaze that claimed the lives of mostly teenagers and injured 116 others, they have been summoned for questioning.
This incident marked one of Switzerland’s most devastating fires, prompting tributes to be paid to the numerous victims. Reports suggest that the fire may have started from candle sparklers being held too close to the ceiling. Authorities are investigating whether the ceiling material, designed for sound insulation, met safety regulations.
Witnesses recounted seeing a male bartender lifting a female colleague on his shoulders while she held a lit sparkler on a bottle, leading to the flames spreading and the wooden ceiling collapsing. People attempted to escape through a narrow door after a crowd surge caused chaos in the nightclub area.
Rescuers described a harrowing scene of severe injuries and burns among the trapped individuals. Efforts to save lives were met with challenges as people struggled to flee the engulfed building.
The tragic incident resulted in 119 individuals sustaining injuries, with the victims aged between 14 and 39 years old. Families of the deceased have lodged a legal complaint with Switzerland’s prosecutor’s office, seeking justice for their loved ones.
Authorities are probing into the renovation work carried out in 2015 amid concerns of inadequate safety measures. Additionally, the use of fire extinguishers and fire exits is being scrutinized as part of the investigation.
According to reports from Switzerland’s Tribune de Genève newspaper, Mr. Moretti claimed that the bar had undergone inspections thrice in a decade, asserting that all operations were compliant with safety standards. The couple also operates two other establishments in Crans-Montana and nearby Lens.