A tragic incident occurred in Switzerland at the beginning of the New Year, where a bar worker unintentionally caused a fatal fire due to a lack of safety training, as claimed by her family’s legal representative. The worker, identified as Cyane Panine, was involved in a celebratory moment holding champagne bottles with sparklers when the fire broke out, leading to the loss of her life and 39 others. It is alleged that Panine was not aware of the fire hazard posed by the ceiling catching fire.
The owners of the bar, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, have been accused by authorities of various charges including negligence leading to manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson due to negligence. The fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana resulted in the tragic loss of 40 lives and left 116 individuals injured.
According to Sophie Haenni, the lawyer representing Panine’s family, the worker was not assigned to serve tables that night but was asked to assist with the high demand, unaware of the risks involved. Haenni emphasized that Panine had not received any safety training or information regarding the dangers present in the bar.
The legal representative further stated that if proper safety measures had been in place and inspections carried out as required, the devastating consequences of the fire could have been prevented. Panine’s family expressed their grief, mentioning that she felt exploited and suffered from unfavorable working conditions.
The family’s lawyers also highlighted Panine’s disappointment in the lack of empathy and support from her employers concerning her workload. The Morettis have been approached for a response to these allegations by the BBC.
In light of the incident, Jessica Moretti has been subjected to a travel ban as an alternative to pre-trial detention, while Jacques Moretti remains in custody for a 90-day period. Investigations suggest that the fire was initiated by sparklers igniting the ceiling’s soundproof foaming material.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the involved parties continue to grapple with the aftermath of the tragic event that unfolded at the bar in Crans-Montana.