Crans-Montana Fire: Nightclub Owners Face Magistrates Over Deadly Blaze

Crans-Montana's nightclub owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, face magistrates today in Sion for a lengthy interrogation concerning the deadly New Year's Eve fire that claimed 41 lives. The session, which began early this morning, involves the deputy prosecutor of Valais, Catherine Seppey, and over 70 lawyers representing civil parties. Italy's official representation is also present, with a lawyer appointed by the Italian government to act as a civil party.

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Today here I officially represent Italy.

The Morettis arrived early and were escorted by police into the hearing room. Investigators aim to clarify numerous aspects of the tragedy. Key areas of focus include the management of the evening itself, the complete lack of staff training, directives given that night, the reasons behind the closure of security doors, and why only a single entrance was used for both entry and exit. Economic issues, particularly related to anti-money laundering profiles, are also under scrutiny.

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It's the first time that we hear them, after having viewed the internal cameras and heard public officials and municipal administrators. There are numerous aspects to clarify, starting from the management of that evening, from the issue of employee training, which did not happen, from the directives given that evening, from why the security doors were closed, to why there was only one entrance for people to enter and exit. And then the economic issues related to anti-money laundering profiles.

Lawyers for the victims' families expressed their expectations for the interrogation. Fabrizio Ventimiglia, representing a girl injured in the fire, hopes for clarity on the consistency between documentary evidence and the defense's version. Domenico Radice, another civil party lawyer, seeks clarification on the evidence. Sébastien Fanti, representing numerous families, highlighted the significant cost of the hearing to taxpayers, emphasizing the need for progress after several months of stalled investigation.

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From today's interrogation, we expect clarification on the consistency between documentary evidence and the defense's version.