The family of a waitress blamed for starting a fatal New Year's Eve fire at a Swiss ski resort bar have revealed she was locked in a bitter employment dispute with the owners, directly contradicting their claims she was like family.
A Dispute Over Rights and Wages
Cyane Panine, a 24-year-old French national, was one of 40 people who died in the inferno at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana on 1 January. The tragedy also left 116 others with horrific burns.
Bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who are facing trial for charges including manslaughter by negligence, have portrayed Cyane as a 'step-daughter' and 'sister'. However, the Panine family's lawyer, Sophie Haenni, stated this was false.
Instead, Cyane had contacted Swiss workers' protection services over her employment conditions. She was demanding a formal contract, her work certificate, and her salary certificate – all documents she was legally entitled to. The Morettis appeared reluctant to provide these or pay a decent wage.
Messages show Cyane and the Morettis addressed each other formally, with Cyane complaining of 'orders' from Jessica Moretti.
Contradictions and a Locked Door
The fire began when Cyane, sitting on a colleague's shoulders and wearing a crash helmet, held champagne bottles with sparklers. The pyrotechnics ignited soundproofing foam in the basement ceiling.
Investigators found that 34 of the victims died on a narrow stairwell, which had been reduced in width by a third during renovations ordered by Jacques Moretti in 2015. Cyane's parents have also alleged an emergency exit was locked to prevent people avoiding table charges of around £900.
'If the door had been open, maybe there wouldn't have been any deaths,' said Cyane's mother, Astrid Panine.
During a court appearance, Jessica Moretti admitted knowing the sparkler stunt was performed regularly. She offered a reserved apology, which the Panine family 'didn't take... very well,' according to their lawyer.
Owners' Accounts and Ongoing Investigation
Jacques Moretti, who is in pre-trial detention and has past convictions including for pimping, told prosecutors he found a 'service door' locked from the inside. He forced it open to find victims, including Cyane, dying from suffocation. He claims not to know why it was locked.
Meanwhile, video is said to show Jessica Moretti fleeing the scene quickly by car, with the night's cash takings. She is now on bail with an electronic tag, while her husband remains in custody. Both are considered flight risks by Swiss authorities.
The Panine family, who buried Cyane in her hometown of Sète, France, are 'filled with a sense of powerlessness, injustice, and anger'. They vow to fight 'for those responsible to be convicted' as the investigation continues.
