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.
Timeline of a Tragedy
The devastating blaze erupted in the basement of 'Le Constellation', a popular venue in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, at approximately 1.30am local time on Thursday morning. Flames rapidly engulfed the club, which was packed with an international crowd of young revellers, many in their teens and twenties.
Authorities have confirmed a death toll of at least 40, with another 119 people injured, many suffering severe third-degree burns. Italian authorities, however, have stated that 47 people lost their lives. The painstaking process of identifying victims through DNA and dental records is ongoing, with officials warning it will take significant time.
Owners Break Silence Amid Criminal Probe
The owners, identified as Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica, 40, have been questioned by investigators. In his first public comments since the fire, Jacques Moretti told Swiss outlet 20 Minuten: 'We can neither sleep nor eat, we are all very unwell.'
He emphasised their full cooperation, stating, 'We will do everything we can to help clarify the causes.' Moretti claimed the club had been inspected three times in the past decade and that 'everything had been done according to regulation.'
Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general for the Valais region, confirmed the couple may face charges of negligent homicide. 'We assume that the fire originated from sparklers attached to champagne bottles,' she said, noting that the investigation is focusing on the ceiling materials, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and occupancy levels.
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. The school has issued a statement asking its community to support her family, who have since moved back to France.
Friends from her former UK school have posted emotional tributes on social media, with one describing her as 'my sweet sweet special Lottie'. A former neighbour in Watford remembered her as 'kind' and 'so clever'.
International Aftermath and Harrowing Footage
The injured include nationals from across Europe, with 71 Swiss, 14 French, and 11 Italians among the 119 hurt. Dozens of international medical transfers are being arranged for those requiring lengthy treatment and rehabilitation.
Harrowing video footage from inside the club shows revellers initially unaware of the danger, with some even filming the spreading flames. The footage appears to show the moment a waitress, riding on a colleague's shoulders, waved a lit sparkler near foam soundproofing panels on the ceiling, which then ignited.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the inferno as 'one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced', one that had 'cut short many young lives'. As the community reels, the focus remains on supporting the bereaved and uncovering the full chain of events that led to the catastrophe.
