Mother of Fire Victims Meets Bar Owners Amid Ongoing Hearings in Sion

Fri Feb 13 2026 00:00:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Leila Micheloud, mother of two young women injured in the New Year’s Day fire, engages in a profound meeting with Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of the bar where the tragedy occurred.

In the aftermath of the tragic New Year's Day fire in Crans-Montana, which resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals and left many more injured, Leila Micheloud, the mother of two daughters who suffered severe injuries, met privately with Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the bar owners. During a hearing in Sion, Micheloud emphasized the humanity of the victims, underscoring that they are not just names on a list. This meeting came amidst a tumultuous atmosphere of inquiry into the events surrounding the fire, deemed one of Switzerland's deadliest disasters in recent years.

The mother of two young women who were badly injured in the New Year's Day fire in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana has had a private encounter with the couple who own the bar.

Leila Micheloud had said earlier she wanted to speak privately to Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who were attending a hearing on the fire that left 41 people dead and 115 injured.

A lawyer for the victims' families, Sébastien Fanti, described the moment as an extremely intense moment and rare in its humanity, although he did not disclose specific details of the conversation.

During the hearing, Jacques Moretti was questioned by lawyers representing the victims’ families, while his wife was expected to face further inquiries.

Speaking to reporters outside the hearing in Sion, Micheloud emphasized the importance of recognizing the victims as individuals, stating, they are not just names on a list but they too had faces.

Micheloud shared the severe injuries suffered by her daughters, with Farah, 20, currently hospitalized with burns covering over 35% of her body. She expressed her resolve, saying, we must fight, keep on fighting every day.

Another grieving parent, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, who lost her 16-year-old son Arthur in the fire, stressed the need for accountability and transparency, declaring, There must be no more lies... I want everyone to take responsibility.

Jacques and Jessica Moretti are under investigation for involuntary manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson through negligence, although neither is currently in custody. Following the tragic incident, safety concerns related to the establishment have surfaced, including complaints from former employees about safety violations.

The inquiry has revealed unsettling details regarding the bar's safety practices, including that no fire inspection had been conducted since 2019 and that a locked service door may have prevented patrons from escaping during the tragedy.

The emotional toll of the incident continues to be felt deeply among the victims’ families, with calls for justice echoing throughout the community.