Swiss bar owner Jacques Moretti was questioned by lawyers representing victims' families on Wednesday regarding the tragic New Year's Day fire in Crans-Montana, which killed 41 people and injured 115.
Accompanied by his wife, Jessica, Jacques attended the hearing in Sion, where Jessica will also face questioning on Thursday. The couple is under criminal investigation for involuntary manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson through negligence. Although they are not in custody, Jacques was released on bail last month.
Before the hearings began, Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, a mother whose 16-year-old son perished in the fire, expressed her need for clarity surrounding the incident, stating, What’s important is that the whole truth comes out. She demanded accountability, saying, There must be no more lies; I want everyone to take responsibility; politics and parties don’t matter to me.
Jacques and Jessica Moretti face allegations of responsibility due to safety issues at their establishment. Criticism has mounted from former employees regarding oversight that led to the fire, including the use of sparkling candles close to the ceiling and a locked service door that trapped patrons as the flames spread rapidly. Notably, no fire inspections had been conducted at the bar since 2019, and local authorities were criticized for not addressing safety risks sooner.
The fire has left a lasting impact on many, with survivors and victims' families advocating for justice and transparency. Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of their injuries and struggles, underlining the human cost of this tragedy. One survivor, Mélanie Van de Velde, described the extent of her burns and called for those responsible to be held accountable, questioning the state of justice in an environment where responsibility seems blurred, silent and diluted.
