A deadly fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana killed 40, with the manager accused of fleeing with cash while patrons were trapped
Investigation into Swiss Resort Bar Fire
The manager of the Swiss resort bar where 40 people died in a fire was allegedly seen fleeing with a cash register. Jessica Moretti, 40, is accused of ignoring customers while escaping with the night’s earnings during the blaze at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana.
Swiss authorities are formally investigating Ms. Moretti. She faces charges of homicide by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Reports suggest she may face additional charges for failing to assist people in danger.
As the fire raged, many were trying to escape and pleading for help. Security cameras reportedly filmed Ms. Moretti fleeing with the cash register. Italian media reported that her priority was to take the cash register containing the evening’s takings.
Legal Complaints Filed
Families of the victims have filed a legal complaint with the Swiss prosecutor’s office. Romain Jordan, a Geneva-based lawyer, confirmed that each family joined the proceedings as plaintiffs. He did not specify the target of the complaint, stating it was against all responsible parties.
Ms. Moretti and her husband are also accused of destroying evidence by blocking social media accounts after the fire. Mr. Jordan claimed that the bar suspended its Facebook and Instagram accounts while rescue operations were ongoing.
Investigation into Safety Standards
Authorities are investigating renovation work done in 2015 due to allegations of insufficient safety standards. The police probe will examine the use of fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and other firefighting equipment at the bar. A former waitress claimed the emergency exit was always locked.
The fire is one of the worst disasters in recent Swiss history. It likely started when “fountain candle” sparklers were held too close to the ceiling. Images show a bartender holding a lit sparkler while on another employee’s shoulders.
Victims Identified
All 40 victims of the fire have been identified. They ranged in age from 14 to 39 years old, with teenagers making up more than half of the death toll. Twenty-six of the deceased were teenagers, including a 14-year-old French national and a 14-year-old from Switzerland.
| Age Group | Number of Victims |
|---|---|
| Teenagers (14-19) | 26 |
| Adults (20-39) | 14 |
Victims included 21 Swiss citizens, seven French, and six Italian. Others came from Romania, Turkey, Portugal, Belgium, and one Swiss-French dual national.
Community Mourning
Charlotte Niddam, a British schoolgirl, has been identified as one of the victims. Her family announced her passing on social media. Grief-stricken mother Laetitia Brodard-Sitre confirmed her son Arthur, 16, was also among the deceased.
More than 2,000 mourners participated in a silent procession through the resort, following an emotional church service. Flags flew at half-mast as the community gathered to pay their respects.
