The owners of a bar at a ski resort are set for further interrogation in court regarding a tragic fire that resulted in the death of 40 individuals and left 116 others injured.
Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti, who run the Le Constellation bar, appeared for questioning at the public prosecutor’s office of the Canton of Valais in Sion, Switzerland, earlier today. 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 chaotic situation for those trying to escape the premises.
The French couple, accused of manslaughter due to negligence, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson, have been summoned for interrogation following the tragic incident where mostly teenagers lost their lives, and many others were injured.
This fire marked one of Switzerland’s worst disasters, prompting heartfelt tributes to honor the numerous victims. Investigations suggest that the fire originated from sparklers held too close to the ceiling, with authorities examining the ceiling material’s compliance with safety regulations.
Two witnesses recounted to French broadcaster BFMTV that they witnessed a male bartender elevating a female colleague on his shoulders while she held a lit sparkler on a bottle. The ensuing flames caused the wooden ceiling to collapse, leading to a chaotic evacuation through a narrow door and up a flight of stairs, resulting in a crush of people, as described by one witness.
A young man present at the scene mentioned how individuals resorted to breaking windows to flee the blazing establishment. Gianni Campolo, a 19-year-old Swiss vacationer, rushed to assist the emergency responders and described the harrowing scene of severely injured and burned individuals on the ground.
Witnesses recounted horrific scenes of individuals struggling to escape the inferno, with tragic accounts of friends and acquaintances in distress. The incident claimed the lives of 40 individuals, ranging from 14 to 39 years old, including Charlotte Niddam, who had received education in Britain.
Families affected by the tragedy have lodged a legal complaint with the Swiss prosecutor’s office. Lawyer Romain Jordan, based in Geneva, confirmed that each family had filed a complaint and joined the legal proceedings as plaintiffs.
Authorities are now delving into the renovation work conducted in 2015 amid allegations of inadequate safety measures. The inspection will encompass the adequacy of fire extinguishers and the functionality of fire exits.
According to reports from Switzerland’s Tribune de Genève newspaper, Mr. Moretti asserted that the bar had undergone inspections “three times in 10 years” and that all operations were conducted in line with the required standards. The Morettis operate two other establishments, one in Crans-Montana and another in the nearby village of Lens.
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