The French couple who own a Swiss nightclub where at least 40 people died in a New Year's Eve inferno have said they are unable to 'sleep nor eat' in the wake of the tragedy, as Swiss authorities consider pursuing manslaughter charges.
A Deadly Flashover in the Alps
The blaze erupted in the basement of 'Le Constellation', a popular venue in the upscale Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, in the Valais canton. It began at approximately 1.30am local time on Thursday morning. Flames spread with terrifying speed through the club, which was packed with young revellers from across the globe, resulting in a catastrophic flashover that left people little chance to escape.
Authorities have confirmed a death toll of at least 40, with another 119 injured. Many of the victims are in their teens and twenties, suffering severe third-degree burns. Italian authorities, however, have stated that 47 people are dead. The process of identifying the deceased through DNA and dental records is ongoing, with officials apologising for the time it is taking and acknowledging the anguish of waiting families.
Owners Break Silence Amid Criminal Investigation
The owners have been named as Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica, 40, from Corsica. In his first public comments since the disaster, Jacques Moretti told Swiss outlet 20 Minuten: 'We can neither sleep nor eat, we are all very unwell.' He emphasised their full cooperation with the investigation, stating, 'We will do everything we can to help clarify the causes.'
Mr Moretti claimed the club had been inspected three times in the past decade and that 'everything had been done according to regulation'. Despite this, the couple have already been questioned by authorities and face the possibility of negligent homicide (manslaughter) charges, according to Valais attorney general Beatrice Pilloud.
The investigation is focusing on the use of sparklers attached to champagne bottles, which are believed to have ignited sound-dampening foam material on the ceiling. Ms Pilloud confirmed the probe is also examining the materials used in the building, the functionality of emergency exits and fire extinguishers, and whether the bar was over its occupancy limit.
British-Educated Teen Among the Missing
One of the two people officially listed as missing is Charlotte Niddam, a teenager who previously attended Immanuel College, a private Jewish school in Hertfordshire. Her family had since moved back to France. The school has issued a statement asking its community to keep Charlotte and her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Friends from her former UK school have posted heartfelt tributes on social media, with one describing her as 'my sweet sweet special Lottie'. Described by a former neighbour as 'kind' and 'so clever', Charlotte was a frequent visitor to the ski resort where she worked as a babysitter.
The first victim to be publicly named was 17-year-old Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini. The injured include nationals from Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland, with dozens requiring complex international medical transfers.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin has described the fire as 'one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced', noting it had 'cut short many young lives'. As the community reels, harrowing new video footage has emerged showing revellers filming the initial flames on their phones, seemingly unaware of the imminent danger, before a fireball engulfed the basement.
