Swiss bar owner faces fresh hearing over deadly New Year ski resort fire
Prosecutors are investigating possible negligence by the bar owners and municipal authorities after safety inspections reportedly stopped in 2019.
Swiss ski resort bar owner Jacques Moretti was questioned again by prosecutors on Monday regarding a tragic New Year's fire that claimed 41 lives and injured 115 others. The fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana left many young revellers, often teenagers, severely burned. Public prosecutors in Wallis canton are focusing on Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the French owners of the bar.
Jacques Moretti has been in pre-trial detention since August due to allegations of domestic violence against his wife. Both co-owners face charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
Several victims and their families attended the questioning, including Laetitia Brodard-Sitre. Wearing photographs of her deceased 16-year-old son Arthur and the flower-covered grave, she expressed hope that Jacques Moretti would "have fewer lapses in memory" and take responsibility for his actions. Astrid Panine, whose daughter Cyane died as a waitress at the bar, emphasized the family's desire for accountability and support for all the victims suffering immensely, many losing fingers, ears, or everything else.
The investigation is examining potential fire safety failures, with 17 individuals currently facing charges, including the bar owners and former municipal authorities. The authorities admitted no inspections had been conducted at the bar since 2019.
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