Crans-Montana, Switzerland - Prosecutors assert that Jessica Moretti, co-owner of the nightclub "Le Constellation," allegedly departed the premises without warning patrons of an unfolding inferno on New Year's Eve, a blaze that ultimately claimed 41 lives. Her husband and co-owner, Jacques Moretti, is currently in pre-trial detention, deemed a 'flight risk' by authorities. The fire, believed to have been ignited by sparklers on champagne bottles near flammable ceiling insulation, rapidly engulfed the basement venue.
The core of the unfolding legal scrutiny centers on the actions of the club's owners during the catastrophic fire.= Investigators, supported by witness accounts and legal representations for survivors, point to Jessica Moretti's departure from the scene shortly after the fire's outbreak. Her stated intention, according to reports, was to contact emergency services. However, legal counsel for victims' families question this, suggesting a dereliction of duty. "She is obviously the boss and so it's logical to assume she was deciding everything," stated Fabrizio Ventimiglia, representing one of the survivors. He further pressed, "Why didn't she block people who continued to enter?"
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Allegations of Negligence and a Locked Exit
Ventimiglia also highlighted concerns about the bar's safety measures, noting that a hired security guard, Stefan Ivanovic, was aware of the fire extinguisher locations. He expressed frustration that Moretti "does not help anyone and does not stop anyone entering — she doesn't say anything, and I believe she had a moral, ethical and legal obligation to do so." Adding to the grim details, Jacques Moretti has reportedly told investigators that a crucial service door was locked from the inside. He claims to have been forced to pry it open, discovering a pile of bodies behind it, though his precise knowledge of why the door was secured remains under investigation.
Background to the Tragedy
The inferno at "Le Constellation," a popular spot in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, erupted just after midnight on New Year's Eve. Initial reports suggested at least 40 fatalities, a figure later revised to 41, with an additional 115 individuals injured. The fire's rapid spread is attributed to a combination of factors: a confined space, the likely ignition of flammable ceiling paneling by celebratory sparklers, and a bottleneck effect at the venue's narrow exit staircase.
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The investigation has seen properties belonging to the Morettis, described as multimillionaires, raided. Both owners, French nationals, deny any wrongdoing. The incident has shaken Switzerland, with its president, Mathias Reynard, labeling it "one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced." The legal proceedings are ongoing, with the possibility of further charges and a trial pending the conclusion of the inquiry. Families of the victims have voiced deep concern over potential evidence tampering and witness influence. Meanwhile, the presumption of innocence continues to apply to the Morettis as the investigation unfolds.
