Survivors Contradict Swiss Nightclub Owner's Account of Deadly Fire
Multiple survivors of the fatal inferno at Le Constellation nightclub in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana have directly contradicted co-owner Jessica Moretti's claims that she remained at the scene to assist victims. Instead, witnesses assert that Moretti fled the burning building on January 1st, allegedly taking cash from the registers as she escaped. This devastating fire resulted in the deaths of forty-one individuals and left 115 others injured, sparking intense scrutiny and public outrage.
Conflicting Testimonies Emerge
Jessica Moretti, who co-owns the nightclub with her husband Jacques, had previously denied fleeing through her lawyer, Yaël Hayat, who stated she "stayed there to help and support the injured." However, Italian media outlet Ansa reports that several survivors have now provided testimony indicating Moretti did in fact leave the scene hurriedly. This allegation has profoundly angered grieving families, who last week confronted the Morettis with shouts of "You'll pay for this."
Prosecutors investigating the disaster have revealed additional critical testimony from survivors. These accounts appear to confirm that emergency exits at the venue were locked during the incident. Furthermore, witnesses described a scene of chaos, noting that no one inside the Constellation bar seemed to know how to respond when the fire broke out. Fire extinguishers went unused, and the blaze engulfed the basement within mere minutes, trapping many patrons.
Families Demand Justice and Accountability
The emergence of these testimonies follows a highly emotional confrontation last week, where furious parents publicly attacked the Morettis, blaming them directly for their children's deaths. As Jacques and Jessica Moretti arrived at the prosecutor's office in Sion for their fourth day of questioning, dozens of grieving relatives swarmed the building's entrance. Many wore clothing bearing images of their deceased loved ones, creating a powerful visual protest.
During the chaotic scene, angry relatives hurled insults at the couple, who were flanked by only a single police officer and their lawyer. One sobbing parent was heard yelling, "You killed my son, you killed 40 people, you will pay for this." A reporter at the scene described it as "a real mob," noting the Morettis were pushed against a wall and struggled to get away. Jessica Moretti, 40, appeared close to tears as she navigated through the crowd.
Personal Confrontations and Emotional Appeals
Trystan, a 17-year-old victim, was mourned by his family, who were present at the confrontation. His brother, Tobyas, 14, allegedly attempted to kick Jessica Moretti after repeatedly asking her to look him in the eye. Trystan's mother, Vinciane Stucky, told local media, "We will neither forgive nor forget." His father, Christian Pidoux, expressed his anguish, stating, "I want Jessica Moretti to know how hard she has hit fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters. She distanced herself, left the Constellation. Others, the young people, helped so much, and she just left. That's not right."
Tobyas and his sister Yaelle, 15, joined the crowd demanding an apology. "We want Jessica Moretti to apologise," they told reporters. Tobyas added, "What happened isn't normal. We want justice. Moretti is undoubtedly guilty, as are the municipality of Crans-Montana and the canton of Valais." In response to being called "murderers," Jacques Moretti faced the crowd and said, "If we have to pay, we will pay. We are not the Mafia; we are workers. We will take responsibility, we will get to the bottom of this, we promise you, we are here to achieve justice."
Legal Proceedings and Defence Strategy
At the hearing, Jessica Moretti admitted that her staff had not been trained for fire emergencies, stating, "There were never any evacuation drills because nobody asked us to." She also addressed the families, saying, "We understand your anger, your hatred. I reaffirm that we are available for any questions and will be there for you." Regarding her actions during the fire, Moretti claimed her priority was to raise the alarm, evacuate people, and call the fire department quickly, noting she is the daughter of a firefighter.
However, the French couple's defence strategy during approximately 20 hours of interrogation has involved blaming a waitress, Cyane Panine, 24, who died in the fire. They allege that Cyane, while wearing a promotional crash helmet, got onto a colleague's shoulders brandishing two champagne bottles with lit sparklers, inadvertently igniting highly flammable foam on the basement ceiling. Jacques Moretti told prosecutors, "I didn't forbid her from doing that... Cyane liked doing that – it was a show, she liked to be part of the show."
Contradictions and Backlash
The family of Cyane Panine has vehemently denied the Morettis' claims, supported by witnesses who survived the blaze. They argue that Jessica Moretti, as manager that night, sent Cyane out with the bottles and encouraged the stunt using a helmet provided by Dom Perignon. Sophie Haenni, lawyer for Cyane's family, stated that Cyane was not supposed to be serving tables and was simply following instructions. Haenni also disputed the Morettis' description of Cyane as a "step-daughter" or "sister," revealing that Cyane had contacted workers' protection services over employment conditions, including lack of an employment contract and decent pay.
Video footage is said to show Jessica Moretti escaping the scene in her car with the night's cash takings, while hundreds of young customers remained trapped inside. The couple faces criminal charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. The case file comprises nearly 2,000 pages and includes over 8,500 physical documents, with 263 civil parties represented by 74 lawyers.
Most victims were Swiss, but 19 nationalities were among those killed and injured, including nine French and six Italian nationals. As the investigation continues, families like that of Leila Micheloud, whose two daughters were injured, seek answers. "It's a path to healing," Micheloud said. "We're waiting for answers, the truth; we're not asking for anything more." The public prosecutor's office has issued around 50 orders and warrants, conducting more than a dozen hearings so far in this tragic and complex case.
