The owners of a bar in the Swiss Alps, where at least 40 people lost their lives on New Year’s Eve, have spoken out for the first time regarding their shock over the tragic event.
The devastating fire at the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana occurred just after 1am on January 1, resulting in injuries to 119 people who were celebrating the New Year. Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin described it as ‘one of the worst tragedies’ the nation has faced.
The search for answers continues, as authorities in Switzerland conduct ‘extensive’ investigations to identify those who perished in the fire, while the injured are being treated in hospitals around the area.
French nationals Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica, 40, who own the bar, have shared their distress, stating they ‘can’t eat’ following the calamity at their establishment. Prosecutors are considering negligent homicide charges due to the incident.
The blaze is suspected to have ignited due to sparklers placed in champagne bottles. Social media posts allegedly depict bar staff holding large bottles of champagne while seated on someone’s shoulders, with sparks shooting from the bottles’ tops.
Béatrice Pilloud, leading the prosecution for Valais, stated that two French managers from Le Constellation have been questioned in connection with the mass casualty incident, which occurred around 1:30am. She mentioned that manslaughter charges are being considered.
She explained, “Everything leads us to think that the fire started from sparkling candles – or sparklers – which were put on bottles of champagne and that was moved too close to the ceiling. From that, a blaze began very quickly.”
The bar owners conveyed to Swiss news outlet 20 Minuten, “We can neither sleep nor eat, we are all very unwell.”
More updates to come.