Clash over compensation for the fatal fire in Crans-Montana. While the lawyers ask for a billion, 30% of Swiss contest the funds allocated by Bern.
The acrid smoke that enveloped New Year’s Eve a Crans Montana it has not yet dissipated in the courtrooms, where the balance sheet of a party transformed into a death trap is taking on unprecedented economic dimensions. While survivors face the long journey of rehabilitation, diplomacy and law intertwine in a race against time to guarantee compensation which, for many, represents the only possibility of a future. It is not just a question of numbers, but of a responsibility that the Swiss is trying to manage with a legislative diligence never seen before in the civil sphere.
The showdown between State and responsibility: 1 billion in damages
The Federal Council responded to the urgency of the tragedy with an exceptional maneuver: an urgent federal law, which came into force on March 21, 2026which unlocked a solidarity contribution of 50,000 francs for each victim. This sum, which is added to the 10,000 francs already allocated by Canton of Valaisis not a definitive compensation, but an immediate deposit to cover urgent expenses. However, the real game is played over the “billion francs”: this is the overall estimate of biological and professional damages calculated by lawyers for 41 victims hey 116 injureda figure that could shake the Swiss insurance sector.
To prevent courtrooms from being blocked for decades, the government of Bern he put a portion of on the plate 20 million francs intended for one round table for out-of-court solutions. The objective is clear: to settle immediately to avoid public trials that would expose the gaps in the controls fire safety of the venue. But the social climate is tense: according to surveys conducted by 20 Minutesabout the 30% of Swiss citizens considers these sums excessive, highlighting a rift between institutional solidarity and the perception of part of public opinion.
The investigative axis and the right of recourse
While the funds are allocated, justice does not stop. THE PM of Romeled by the coordinator of the group for negligent crimes, have entered into a collaboration agreement with the Valais prosecutor Catherine Seppey. The summit at the end of March a Zion marked a turning point: the investigation not only aims to establish the causes of the fire, but to verify whether the licenses and evacuation systems were up to standard. If serious negligence is ascertained, the Swiss state will activate the right of recoursetaking revenge on the managers and owners of the structure to recover every penny advanced to the families.
For Elsa, the young woman who has become a symbol of the tragedy, and for all the boys who bear the marks of that night on their bodies, compensation is the only tangible form of justice. In a context where the diplomatic tension between Italy And Swiss has reached rare peaks, the speed of payments is not only a humanitarian act, but an attempt to mend an international rift. The legal battle of Crans Montana it will remain in the law textbooks as the case in which State solidarity had to outrun the sentences in order not to leave the victims in limbo of the rubble.
The troubles of the Morettis, owners of the place that went up in smoke
The owners of the Constellation in Crans-Montana are increasingly under pressure. The investigators have in fact seized a vast range of luxury goods, from cars to watches, with a value exceeding half a million francs.
Stolen cars
According to what was reported by the Swiss newspaper Blickthe investigators’ attention was focused on the wealthy lifestyle of Jacques and Jessica Moretti which clashes with their declared incomes. Several cars were then seized, including a Bentley Continental, a Porsche Cayenne, a Mercedez Benz eVito and a Maserati. The cost of the first car is between 265,000 and 350,000 Swiss francs, while the Porsche in question can cost between 80,000 and 150,000 francs. According to what emerged from the papers, the spouses used the cars through leasing contracts, therefore paying a fee. It seems that the monthly installments reached 4,000 Swiss francs.
The seized watches
Five expensive watches were also included among the luxury goods seized. According to the Blick these are three Rolexes, therefore a steel Daytona, a Day-Date and a Datejust. The total cost would be approximately 77,000 Swiss francs. Rounding out the list of watches are the limited edition Hublot Big Bang and a Royal Oak model from Audemars Piguet for a value of between 47,300 and 70,000 Swiss francs, or even more.
