Swiss bar owner Jacques Moretti was questioned by lawyers acting for victims' families on Wednesday, over the New Year's Day fire disaster in Crans-Montana that left 41 people dead and 115 injured. He arrived for the hearing in Sion with his wife, Jessica, whose lawyer Yaël Hayat described the latest hearings as 'moments of truth'. Jessica Moretti faces questions on Thursday.
Ahead of the hearing, one mother told Swiss TV she needed to know what had gone wrong and why. 'What's important is that the whole truth comes out,' said Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, whose 16-year-old son Arthur died in the fire. 'There must be no more lies... I want everyone to take responsibility; politics and parties don't matter to me.'
Jacques and Jessica Moretti are under criminal investigation for involuntary manslaughter, as well as bodily harm and arson through negligence. Neither is being held in custody; Mr. Moretti was released on bail last month. His wife's lawyer told French radio the couple had made clear from the outset that neither was trying to shirk justice for their part in the tragedy.
'They obviously bear responsibility for what happened, as it happened on their property and they were guardians of the premises,' Ms. Hayat said. However, she added that the inquiry must determine who is ultimately responsible for the incident. The couple faces criticism from former employees regarding safety measures and protocols, highlighting issues such as uninspected fire safety and locked exits preventing escape during the fire. Many victims were teenagers, and a service door that was locked impeded their escape as the fire spread.
In the aftermath, survivors and victims' relatives continue to advocate for accountability, as the community seeks to understand how such a tragedy could occur and prevent future disasters.
Ahead of the hearing, one mother told Swiss TV she needed to know what had gone wrong and why. 'What's important is that the whole truth comes out,' said Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, whose 16-year-old son Arthur died in the fire. 'There must be no more lies... I want everyone to take responsibility; politics and parties don't matter to me.'
Jacques and Jessica Moretti are under criminal investigation for involuntary manslaughter, as well as bodily harm and arson through negligence. Neither is being held in custody; Mr. Moretti was released on bail last month. His wife's lawyer told French radio the couple had made clear from the outset that neither was trying to shirk justice for their part in the tragedy.
'They obviously bear responsibility for what happened, as it happened on their property and they were guardians of the premises,' Ms. Hayat said. However, she added that the inquiry must determine who is ultimately responsible for the incident. The couple faces criticism from former employees regarding safety measures and protocols, highlighting issues such as uninspected fire safety and locked exits preventing escape during the fire. Many victims were teenagers, and a service door that was locked impeded their escape as the fire spread.
In the aftermath, survivors and victims' relatives continue to advocate for accountability, as the community seeks to understand how such a tragedy could occur and prevent future disasters.
