The aftermath of the New Year’s fire at Le Constellation nightclub in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, continues to boil over as grieving families confronted the club’s owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, outside the prosecutor’s office in Sion.
The inferno, which killed 41 people and injured 115, has left the community shaken and furious, with relatives demanding accountability.
Families Seek Justice and Confront Owners
On the fourth day of questioning, dozens of relatives gathered at the Sion prosecutor’s office wearing shirts and badges depicting their deceased loved ones.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the Morettis arrived, flanked by a single police officer and their lawyer.
A reporter on the scene told local media, “It was a real mob.
The Morettis had hardly any protection when the relatives’ anger erupted.
Everyone rushed at the innkeepers, who were pushed against the building’s wall and couldn’t get away.”
Parents shouted, cried, and demanded apologies, with one sobbing mother yelling, “You killed my son, you killed 40 people, you will pay for this.”
Several teenage siblings of victims confronted Jessica Moretti directly, urging her to acknowledge the pain she had caused.
The Morettis’ Defense
The Morettis have consistently pointed fingers at their staff, particularly 24-year-old waitress Cyane Panine, who also died in the blaze.
According to the couple, Panine caused the fire by performing a champagne bottle stunt with lit sparklers while standing on a colleague’s shoulders.
During interrogations totaling around 20 hours, the Morettis argued they were unaware of the danger and had not instructed Panine to perform the stunt.
“It’s not us, it’s the others,” a leaked transcript reportedly quoted them as saying.
They admitted the stunt was a regular part of the club’s entertainment but claimed they never foresaw a risk to anyone’s safety.
Conflicting Accounts
Survivors and Panine’s family contest the Morettis’ version of events.
Witnesses allege that Panine was sent into the basement by Jessica Moretti with a crash helmet that blocked her view of the flammable foam on the ceiling.
Panine, they say, was simply following instructions and had received no safety training.
Sophie Haenni, lawyer for Panine’s family, stated, “Cyane wasn’t supposed to be serving at the tables.
Jessica Moretti asked her to go down to the basement to help her colleagues… she was never informed of the ceiling’s danger and received no safety training.”
Legal Proceedings
The Morettis face potential criminal charges including manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence, carrying sentences of up to 20 years if convicted.
The case has been highly complex, with prosecutors handling over 8,500 documents and 263 civil parties represented by 74 lawyers.
During hearings, Jacques Moretti addressed the crowd, saying, “If we have to pay, we will pay.
We are not the Mafia; we are workers.
We will take responsibility, we will get to the bottom of this, we promise you, we are here to achieve justice.”
Victims and Community Impact
Most victims were teenagers, and the fire drew international attention as people from 19 different nationalities were among the dead or injured, including French and Italian nationals.
Survivors and families continue to receive medical care across Switzerland and Europe.
Video footage reportedly shows Jessica Moretti fleeing the scene quickly with the night’s cash, a detail that has fueled public anger and mistrust.
Families of the victims, while grieving, are also demanding clarity and accountability from both the Morettis and local authorities.
What’s Next?
The investigation continues, with prosecutors conducting detailed hearings and reviewing thousands of documents.
Legal experts expect further questioning of the Morettis, witnesses, and staff.
Families are also expected to provide more testimony as civil and criminal proceedings advance.
Authorities are focusing on understanding how the fire started, the role of safety protocols, and whether the Morettis can be held criminally responsible.
Meanwhile, community support services have been mobilized to help the victims’ families cope with ongoing trauma.
Summary
Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of Le Constellation nightclub in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, faced furious relatives as they were questioned over a New Year’s fire that killed 41 people and injured 115.
The couple has blamed deceased waitress Cyane Panine for causing the blaze, while Panine’s family and witnesses dispute this account, claiming the Morettis sent her into danger.
The Morettis face potential charges of manslaughter and arson by negligence.
Families continue to demand justice, and the investigation remains ongoing, with courts processing thousands of documents and testimonies from over 260 civil parties.
