The proprietors 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 an additional 116 people injured.
Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti, the owners of Le Constellation bar, appeared at the public prosecutor’s office in Sion, Switzerland, this morning for questioning. The bar, situated in the upscale Alpine ski destination of Crans-Montana, was engulfed in flames during a New Year’s celebration, leading to a harrowing situation where victims struggled to escape the building.
The French couple is facing charges related to manslaughter due to negligence, as well as negligence causing bodily harm and arson by negligence. The authorities have summoned them for questioning following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 40 individuals, many of whom were teenagers, and left 116 others injured.
This fire stands as one of the most devastating in Swiss history, prompting tributes to be paid to the numerous victims. Reports suggest that the blaze may have been ignited by candle sparklers being held too close to the ceiling. Officials are also probing whether the ceiling material, designed for sound insulation, complied with safety regulations.
Witnesses recounted seeing a male bartender lifting a female colleague on his shoulders while she held a lit sparkler on a bottle. As the flames spread, the wooden ceiling collapsed, leading to a frantic escape by patrons from the basement nightclub area through a narrow door and up a flight of stairs, resulting in a crowd surge.
The intense situation prompted individuals to break windows in a bid to flee. Gianni Campolo, a 19-year-old Swiss vacationer, rushed to assist emergency responders and described scenes of severe injuries and burns. Families have lodged a legal complaint with the Swiss prosecutor’s office, alleging insufficient safety measures following renovation work in 2015.
Authorities are also examining the adequacy of fire extinguishers and fire exits in the establishment. Mr. Moretti stated that the bar had undergone inspections three times in a decade and was compliant with standards. The couple owns two other establishments in the vicinity.