Heartfelt Encounter: Victims' Mother Confronts Bar Owners Post-Fire Tragedy

Fri Feb 13 2026 01:36:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a powerful moment of reconciliation, Leila Micheloud, mother of two fire victims, meets Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the bar owners linked to the tragic New Year's fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

Leila Micheloud, whose daughters were severely injured in the New Year’s fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, met bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti during a hearing regarding the incident that resulted in 41 fatalities. Micheloud's encounter underscored the personal toll of the tragedy and highlighted demands for accountability amidst ongoing investigations into the safety violations linked to the fire.

Heartfelt Encounter: Victims' Mother Confronts Bar Owners Post-Fire Tragedy

In a powerful moment of reconciliation, Leila Micheloud, mother of two young women seriously injured in the New Year’s Day fire in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, met with Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the bar owners linked to the tragic incident during a court hearing.

Micheloud approached the Morettis in a private meeting that was described by a lawyer for the victims’ families, Sébastien Fanti, as 'an extremely intense moment and rare in its humanity,' although the specifics of their conversation were not disclosed.

The fire, which left 41 people dead and sparked serious injuries to many others, took place at the Morettis' bar during a New Year celebration. Many victims were teenagers, and reports have since emerged highlighting safety lapses, including a locked exit door that prevented many from escaping as the fire spread.

Faced with ongoing criminal investigations into involuntary manslaughter and other charges against them, the Morettis have expressed their desire to confront their responsibilities and the tragic consequences of the events at Le Constellation bar.

Outside the hearing, Micheloud emphasized the human aspect of the tragedy, reminding everyone that victims are not merely names but individuals with faces and stories. Her daughters continue to fight their injuries, with Farah, 20, still hospitalized with severe burns covering over 35% of her body.

In conjunction with these proceedings, the community has called for accountability, as various former employees and family members seek to understand how regulations failed to protect those present during the fire. Survivors, including Mélanie Van de Velde, have shared their painful experiences as a way to highlight the need for change in safety practices to prevent such tragedies in the future.

As the investigation unfolds, the focus now remains on ensuring that justice is served, not just through legal proceedings but through systematic changes in fire safety regulations that prioritize the protection of individuals in public venues.