What was supposed to be a joyful New Year’s Eve has turned into a growing puzzle for investigators in Switzerland.
As authorities dig deeper into the deadly fire at Le Constellation nightclub in Crans-Montana, troubling details are emerging about missing footage, alleged workplace exploitation, and serious safety lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.
CCTV Failure Raises Fresh Suspicion
One of the most alarming revelations centers on the nightclub’s security cameras.
According to reports from German outlet Bild, the CCTV system at Le Constellation reportedly stopped working just three minutes before the fire erupted.
Detectives only have access to recordings up to 1:23am, even though the blaze began moments later.
During questioning on January 1, club owner Jaques Moretti told investigators that the system had suddenly crashed and could not be reset.
He allegedly presented screenshots from the last available recordings, showing multiple camera angles covering areas such as the smoking room, the DJ booth, the bar, and seating areas.
Despite this, the unexplained timing of the failure has fueled concern among authorities.
Disappearing Online Evidence Deepens Concerns
Adding to the unease, images and videos posted on social media from inside the nightclub reportedly vanished just hours after the disaster.
Investigators are now questioning whether potential evidence was deliberately removed.
These developments come as Jaques Moretti faces investigation for negligent homicide and negligent bodily harm.
The Young Waitress at the Center of the Tragedy
At the heart of the case is 24-year-old Cyane Panine, a waitress who lost her life in the fire.
She was filmed moments before the inferno holding two champagne bottles fitted with sparklers while seated on a colleague’s shoulders.
Prosecutors believe the sparklers ignited flammable foam used for soundproofing in the basement ceiling.
The fire went on to claim 40 lives and left 116 others with severe burns, making it one of the deadliest nightclub disasters in Switzerland’s history.
Claims of Exhaustion and Exploitation
Cyane’s lawyer, Sophie Haenni, has painted a grim picture of her working conditions.
Speaking to Bild, Haenni said Cyane was mentally and physically exhausted after being made to work long, relentless hours.
According to her parents, Cyane worked both at Le Constellation bar and at the owners’ gourmet burger restaurant, Senso, which opened in 2020.
Her typical shift reportedly began during the day at the restaurant and stretched late into the night at the nightclub, leaving her severely fatigued.
Haenni also revealed that Cyane had contacted a workers’ protection service to complain about her employment conditions.
Lack of Safety Training and Hidden Dangers
Even more troubling are claims that Cyane was never warned about the highly flammable foam on the ceiling and never received any safety training.
Her lawyer insists she had no idea of the risks involved in using sparklers indoors.
According to Haenni, Cyane was not even scheduled to serve tables on New Year’s Eve.
She was allegedly sent to the basement by Jessica Moretti, the bar manager, after a large champagne order came in.
Following Orders in a Deadly Moment
Haenni stressed that Cyane was simply doing what she was told.
She followed instructions in full view of management and carried out her task without any knowledge of the danger overhead.
In her view, the disaster could have been prevented if proper safety standards had been followed and mandatory inspections carried out.
“Cyane is undoubtedly a victim,” Haenni said, arguing that the loss of life was avoidable.
The Final Moments Before the Fire
Just before the blaze broke out, Cyane was filmed wearing a Dom Perignon-branded motorcycle-style crash helmet with a black visor that covered her face completely.
A witness told Swiss authorities that this was done at the request of bar manager Jessica Moretti.
The helmet, combined with the sparklers, severely limited Cyane’s visibility.
She was lifted onto the shoulders of 23-year-old in-house DJ Mateo Lesguer, who was also wearing a mask.
Both tragically died in the fire.
Legal Pressure Mounts on Club Owners
As the investigation continues, Swiss authorities have taken firm action against the nightclub’s leadership.
Jessica Moretti has been placed under a travel ban due to concerns she could flee the country.
She has surrendered her passport and is required to report to police daily.
Jaques Moretti remains in custody for an initial 90-day period, with prosecutors also citing him as a potential flight risk.
What Comes Next for the Investigation
With key evidence missing, serious allegations of negligence, and mounting legal consequences for those in charge, investigators now face the challenge of piecing together exactly what went wrong.
The coming weeks are expected to bring further scrutiny of safety practices, employment conditions, and accountability for a night that ended in unimaginable loss.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn