A Mother's Heartfelt Plea Amid Tragedy: Fire Disaster Victims Speak Out

Fri Feb 13 2026 01:29:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Leila Micheloud, mother of two victims from a tragic fire incident in Switzerland, confronts the bar owners involved during a court hearing, highlighting the human impact of the disaster.

In a profound moment during a recent court hearing in Sion, Leila Micheloud met with Jacques and Jessica Moretti, bar owners implicated in a tragic fire that claimed 41 lives. Micheloud, whose daughters suffered severe injuries, emphasized the human side to the tragedy, expressing the need for accountability and facing the reality of loss. This encounter, described by lawyers as deeply impactful, sheds light on the ongoing consequences of the disaster and the pursuit of truth and justice.

The mother of two young women who were badly injured in the New Year's Day fire in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana had a private encounter with the couple who own the bar.

Leila Micheloud had said earlier she wanted to speak privately to Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who were attending a hearing on the fire that left 41 people dead and 115 injured.

A lawyer for the victims' families, Sébastien Fanti, described it as an extremely intense moment and rare in its humanity, but did not divulge details of their conversation.

During the hearing, Jacques Moretti was questioned by lawyers for the victims' families, with further questioning expected for his wife on Thursday.

Outside the hearing, Micheloud remarked that her presence was a testament that the victims were not just names on a list but they too had faces. She talked about the serious injuries her daughters had suffered, emphasizing the ongoing fight for justice.

The Morettis are under criminal investigation for involuntary manslaughter, as well as bodily harm and arson through negligence. They have faced criticism concerning safety standards at their bar.

The proceedings have underscored the deep emotional scars left by the disaster, with survivors and family members seeking transparency and accountability from the parties involved.

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