“LET HER REST. SHE WAS ONLY A SIMPLE WAITRESS”

Nearly 500 people gathered in the biting cold of Sète, France, to say a final goodbye to 24-year-old Cyane Panine — the young woman who lost her life in the devastating New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

She wasn’t the mastermind behind the night’s celebrations… just a hardworking waitress doing her job, carrying out orders like any other shift. A “ray of sunshine,” her family called her — full of heart, always smiling.

But as mourners laid her to rest, questions hung heavy in the air: Why was she thrust into that dangerous stunt? Why no safety training? And why was a key door reportedly locked in those final, terrifying moments?

The truth about what really happened behind that door — and the decisions made in the chaos — remains shrouded in silence.

Full details:

In a poignant display of grief and solidarity, nearly 500 people braved the winter chill in the southern French coastal town of Sète on Saturday, January 11, 2026, to attend the funeral of 24-year-old Cyane Panine, one of 40 victims killed in the catastrophic New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

Panine, a French national from Sète, worked as a waitress at the popular Alpine venue. Family members described her as a “ray of sunshine” with a “beautiful heart and soul,” always ready with a smile and quick to help others. Her father, Jerome, and mother, Astrid, spoke publicly of their profound loss, emphasizing her kindness and the injustice of her fate. Relatives and friends at the service expressed conviction that she could have been saved had circumstances been different, with some holding signs or sharing tributes calling for accountability.

The fire erupted shortly after 1:26 a.m. on January 1 during crowded New Year celebrations in the basement-level bar. Swiss authorities have identified the likely ignition source as sparklers attached to champagne bottles held aloft as part of a promotional stunt, which set alight flammable acoustic foam on the ceiling. The blaze spread rapidly, trapping many inside and leading to 40 deaths — including many teenagers and young adults — and 116 injuries, with dozens suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation. Intensive care units across Valais were overwhelmed, prompting transfers to hospitals in Switzerland, France, and Italy.

Panine was widely identified in viral video footage wearing a promotional crash helmet from a champagne brand and holding bottles with lit sparklers while being lifted onto a colleague’s shoulders. Witnesses and official reports indicate the maneuver was encouraged by bar co-owner Jessica Moretti, 40, who reportedly told staff to “liven things up” amid high demand. A surviving waitress, Louise Leguistin, 25, told investigators she received no fire safety training or instructions on handling sparklers, and was unaware of emergency procedures.

Panine’s family lawyer, Sophie Haenni, has alleged that the young woman received no safety briefing and was unaware of the ceiling material’s flammability. Haenni told outlets including the BBC that Panine “wasn’t supposed to be serving tables” that night but was asked to assist downstairs. The family has also claimed Panine felt “used” and “exploited” by her employers, working relentlessly at both Le Constellation and the owners’ related gourmet burger restaurant, Senso. She reportedly confided to her parents that she was mentally and physically exhausted and considered going public about her working conditions before the tragedy.

Swiss authorities have charged bar co-owners Jacques Moretti, 49, and Jessica Moretti with manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. The couple, who viewed Panine as a “stepdaughter,” provided their most detailed account to media, describing how Jacques forced open a locked basement service door from outside and found her in her final moments “surrounded by a pile of bodies.” They attempted resuscitation for over an hour alongside her boyfriend before emergency services declared it too late. The Morettis maintain their innocence and have not commented further on specific allegations.

Panine’s parents have disputed aspects of the owners’ narrative, claiming the locked door — intended as an emergency exit — contributed to the high death toll. They allege it was kept secured for cost-cutting or operational reasons, potentially preventing escape. Some reports suggest staff felt pressured into pyrotechnic displays without adequate risk awareness. A separate claim from Panine’s family alleged the disaster involved a “calculated plot” tied to employment disputes or insurance motives, though no evidence has been publicly substantiated, and authorities continue their probe without confirming such theories.

The funeral in Sète provided a moment of communal mourning far from the Alpine scene. Attendees included family, friends, former colleagues, and locals moved by the story. Tributes highlighted Panine’s ordinary life — a young woman supporting herself through hospitality work, far from any intent to cause harm. Her burial underscored the human cost: not a villain in the narrative, but a victim caught in a chain of events.

Broader fallout from the fire has prompted national soul-searching in Switzerland. Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Féraud revealed the bar had not been inspected since 2019, raising questions about regulatory oversight in a country known for stringent safety standards. Memorial services in Martigny and elsewhere included moments of silence, with survivors recounting “apocalyptic” scenes of chaos and heroism. One woman helping the injured from a nearby bar described the horror as people fled the flames.

The investigation remains ongoing, with forensic analysis of the venue, witness statements, and review of CCTV footage. No final determination on exact causes or culpability has been issued, but the focus includes venue safety compliance, staff training, and the use of indoor pyrotechnics. International attention — particularly in France and Italy, home to many victims — has amplified calls for justice and reform.

For Panine’s family, the service marked a painful milestone. They have vowed to pursue answers, insisting their daughter deserved better than to be scapegoated or forgotten amid the blame. As one relative put it, she was “only a simple waitress” — hardworking, kind, and gone too soon.

The Crans-Montana fire has left deep scars: lives ended, futures altered, and a community demanding clarity. While Cyane Panine now rests in her hometown, the silence around key decisions that night continues to echo, ensuring her story — and the tragedy’s lessons — will not fade quietly.