Swiss Bar Fire: Operators Face Joint Interrogation Amid Key Inconsistencies

Investigators in Switzerland are zeroing in on the operators of a bar where a devastating fire claimed 41 lives and injured 115 people on New Year's Eve. Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of the "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, are facing increased scrutiny as prosecutors conduct a "confrontation" – a joint questioning aimed at resolving discrepancies in their accounts.

This marks the first time the couple has been questioned together since the incident. While they have been interviewed separately multiple times since February, and their statements as accused individuals with legal counsel have become increasingly aligned, prosecutors are seeking to clarify critical points. The joint interrogation is considered particularly sensitive given they are a couple, according to legal experts.

Several key areas remain contentious. Chief among them is the nature of the soundproofing foam used in the bar's ceiling. The Morettis' accounts of its purchase and origin have shifted significantly since the fire. Initially, Jacques Moretti consistently stated he bought the foam in 2015 from a DIY store in Riddes. However, weeks after the disaster, following a search of their home, he produced a document suggesting the purchase was made from a company in eastern Germany.

Other significant inconsistencies relate to the bar's escape routes and the couple's financial assets, including holdings in France. The prosecution aims to reconcile these conflicting details to establish a clearer picture of the events leading up to the catastrophe and to determine responsibility.

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A confrontation aims to play the interrogated persons against each other.