Teenage Victim of Swiss New Year's Eve Bar Inferno Awakens from Coma
A teenage victim of the devastating Swiss bar fire that occurred on New Year's Eve has finally emerged from her medically induced coma, weeks after the catastrophic blaze claimed the lives of 40 individuals and left approximately 100 others with serious injuries. Roze, an 18-year-old waitress who was working at the Le Constellation nightclub in Crans-Montana on the fateful night, sustained severe burns to her face, hands, and foot during the tragedy.
Specialist Medical Care and Recovery Progress
One week following the inferno, Roze was transferred to the specialist burns unit at the University Hospital of Liège, where medical professionals possess extensive expertise in treating similar traumatic injuries. She underwent multiple surgical procedures and was maintained in an induced coma for several weeks, with healthcare providers reportedly fearing for her life throughout this prolonged period. Last Friday marked a significant milestone in her recovery when she was permitted to leave intensive care and transition to a regular hospital room to continue her rehabilitation.
"I'm doing better," Roze informed Sudinfo during an interview. "I'm still receiving a substantial amount of medical care; my bandages require changing every two days. However, my face is no longer bandaged, and I can engage in normal conversation with my family members and hospital staff."
Long and Painful Rehabilitation Journey Ahead
Despite this progress, the teenager's recovery remains an arduous and painful process. "The recovery of my hands and right foot will still take considerable time, but I'm on the right track," Roze continued. "The doctors have informed me that I must wear protective gloves for another two years. Nevertheless, I can still utilise my hands. My right foot continues to cause significant pain. I cannot walk independently yet; it will likely be another six months before I regain that ability."
Her father has been residing with her permanently throughout her hospital stay, providing crucial emotional support. Meanwhile, her mother and three-year-old brother have also visited recently, assisting her in coping with the profound psychological trauma resulting from that horrific night.
"Every night I wake up experiencing nightmares," she revealed. "I persistently relive the events of that evening. I am currently receiving psychological support from a therapist to help process these experiences."
Owners Face Serious Criminal Charges
This personal recovery story unfolds against a backdrop of serious legal proceedings. Swiss prosecutors have charged the bar owners, Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica Moretti, 40, with negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson in connection with the disaster. The couple are undergoing constant questioning by prosecutors, with leaked interview records indicating their defence strategy involves shifting blame onto their young staff members.
During approximately twenty hours of interrogation by three prosecutors, the Morettis particularly attributed responsibility to waitress Cyane Panine, 24, who tragically perished in the fire. They claimed she initiated the blaze by climbing onto a colleague's shoulders while brandishing two champagne bottles containing lit sparklers. Cyane was reportedly wearing a promotional crash helmet during this stunt and allegedly failed to notice the pyrotechnics igniting the bar's basement ceiling, which was covered with highly flammable insulation foam.
Contested Safety Allegations and Evidence
Jacques Moretti told the enquiry that the champagne sparklers performance was "Cyane's show," stating, "I didn't forbid her from doing that. I didn't make her pay attention to safety instructions. We didn't perceive the danger. Cyane enjoyed performing that act – it was a show, she liked to be part of the spectacle." Jessica Moretti, present at the same hearing on January 20, echoed this sentiment: "Cyane liked to deliver these bottles – she did it voluntarily. If I had believed there was the slightest risk, I would have prohibited it. In ten years of operating the business, I never considered there could be any danger."
However, Cyane's family members and surviving witnesses have vehemently disputed these claims. They assert that Jessica Moretti actually instructed Cyane to carry out the bottle delivery and encouraged her performance using a helmet provided by Dom Perignon.
Revealing CCTV Footage and Safety Failures
Disturbing CCTV footage emerging after the inferno reveals a chair deliberately wedged against an emergency exit, alongside employees using pool cues to prop up deteriorating insulation foam approximately two weeks before the fire occurred. One photograph taken minutes before the blaze shows this chair apparently blocking the emergency exit, with three deceased individuals reportedly discovered in front of it according to Bild newspaper.
In video evidence released by channel France 2, a staff member can be seen attempting to push drooping insulation panels on the ceiling back into position using pool cues and paper towels. Employee Gaëtan Thomas-Gilbert, who sustained severe injuries in the fire, recorded this activity and sent the video to Jacques Moretti, who responded: "Yeah, that looks acceptable. Please remove the others." Thomas-Gilbert had previously expressed safety concerns about the bar to his father and indicated his intention to resign.
Questionable Safety Protocols and Training
Regarding fire safety measures, Jacques Moretti stated: "There was no formal training programme, but employees were informed about necessary steps during fire emergencies when they received premises orientation. Evacuate customers, raise the alarm, and contact the fire department." He added: "And naturally, if time permitted, utilise fire extinguishers to suppress flames."
When confronted with testimony from an employee identified only as L, who claimed unawareness of extinguisher locations, Moretti responded: "Staff work various shifts, and perhaps I neglected to provide this information to L, but it would have been communicated eventually. Maybe I forgot."
Both owners also attributed blame to an unidentified staff member for allegedly locking an escape door in the basement. Jessica Moretti told the enquiry: "The door remained consistently open. Not a day passes without me questioning why that door was closed that particular night. We always maintained that the door stayed open, and this was taken for granted." Jacques Moretti elaborated: "Following the tragedy, we discovered that an employee delivering ice cubes to the Constellation inexplicably closed the latch at the top of the door."
The concerned staff member contacted by Le Parisien strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting: "I did not close a door that was already secured." Concerning the flammable foam installed during 2015 renovations, Jacques Moretti claimed: "The fire chief and fire captain approved its installation."
Victim's Resilience and Gratitude
Despite her ongoing physical and psychological challenges, Roze maintains a determinedly positive outlook. "I wish to express gratitude to healthcare staff for their exceptional kindness, and also to all Belgians who inquired about my wellbeing. Thank you for your overwhelming kindness – the worst phase is now behind me!" she declared optimistically.
Her awakening from coma represents a beacon of hope amidst this tragedy, even as legal proceedings continue to unravel the complex web of responsibility surrounding one of Switzerland's deadliest nightlife disasters in recent memory.
