Swiss Nightclub Fire Victims' Families Confront Owners at Court Hearing
Furious family members of the victims from the New Year's Swiss nightclub fire launched a dramatic attack on the owners this morning, with parents directly blaming them for their children's tragic deaths. As Jacques and Jessica Moretti arrived at the prosecutor's office in Sion for their fourth day of intensive questioning, dozens of grieving relatives swarmed around the building's entrance. Many wore clothing bearing poignant images of their deceased loved ones, creating a highly charged and emotional scene.
Chaotic Confrontation at the Courthouse
The couple, who have consistently pinned the blame on a waitress who also perished in the fire, are under strict judicial supervision following the catastrophic inferno. The devastating blaze killed 41 people and injured 115 others at Le Constellation nightclub in the popular ski resort of Crans-Montana on January 1. As they attempted to make their way into the building to testify on Thursday morning, several relatives rushed towards the pair, who were flanked by just a single police officer and their legal representative.
A reporter at the scene told 20 Minuten: 'It was a real mob. The Morettis had hardly any protection when the relatives' anger erupted. Everyone rushed at the innkeepers, who were pushed against the building's wall and couldn't get away.' Angry relatives hurled vicious insults towards the pair as they cowered behind their lawyer, with one sobbing parent heard yelling: 'You killed my son, you killed 40 people, you will pay for this.'
Emotional Outbursts and Physical Confrontation
Ms Moretti, 40, appeared close to tears as she waded through the hostile mob. The brother of one of the victims, Trystan, even attempted to kick her after repeatedly demanding that she look him directly in the eye. Trystan's mother, Vinciane Stucky, who was also present during the morning's events, told local media with unwavering resolve: 'We will neither forgive nor forget.' This statement encapsulates the raw grief and determination for justice that continues to drive the families forward.
The Morettis' Defence Strategy and Allegations
The French couple have firmly blamed their young staff for causing the inferno and allegedly blocking an escape exit. Leaked interview records indicate they stated: 'It's not us, it's the others.' During approximately 20 hours of interrogation by three prosecutors, the Morettis' defence strategy particularly focused on blaming waitress Cyane Panine, 24. They claimed she climbed onto the shoulders of a colleague while brandishing two champagne bottles containing lit sparklers inside.
Cyane, who tragically died in the fire, was reportedly wearing a promotional crash helmet and did not see the pyrotechnics lighting up the bar's basement ceiling. The ceiling was covered in highly flammable foam, which contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Referring to the champagne sparklers stunt – which was captured on film – Mr Moretti told the enquiry that it was 'Cyane's show.'
He elaborated to prosecutors: 'I didn't forbid her from doing that. I didn't make her pay attention to safety instructions. We didn't see the danger. Cyane liked doing that – it was a show, she liked to be part of the show.' Ms Moretti previously claimed: 'Cyane liked to deliver these bottles – she did it of her own accord. If I had thought there was the slightest risk, I would have forbidden it. In ten years of running the business, I never thought there could be any danger.'
Legal Charges and Potential Consequences
The French couple is currently under formal criminal investigation, facing serious charges including manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. They potentially face up to 20 years in prison if charged and ultimately found guilty of manslaughter. The legal proceedings continue as authorities meticulously examine the circumstances that led to one of Switzerland's deadliest nightclub disasters in recent history.
