Swiss authorities have acknowledged that a popular ski bar in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana had not undergone a fire safety inspection in more than five years before a devastating New Year’s Day blaze killed 40 people, many of them teenagers, according to Al Jazeera News.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud confirmed that no fire safety checks had been carried out at the Le Constellation bar since 2019. “Periodic inspections were not conducted between 2020 and 2025,” Feraud said. “We bitterly regret this.”
The fire broke out shortly after midnight as crowds gathered to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Investigators believe the blaze began when revelers lifted champagne bottles fitted with lit sparklers, which ignited sound-insulating foam lining the ceiling of the bar’s basement. The flames spread rapidly, trapping dozens inside.
Most of those killed were adolescents. Authorities said the youngest victim was a 14-year-old Swiss girl, followed by two 15-year-old Swiss girls. The oldest victim was a 39-year-old French national. In addition to the fatalities, 116 people were injured, and police said 83 remain hospitalized as of Monday.
Mayor Feraud noted that the foam material involved in the fire had been considered compliant during the last inspection in 2019. However, the lack of subsequent checks has raised urgent questions about enforcement and oversight in one of Switzerland’s most frequented ski destinations.
In response to the tragedy, Crans-Montana authorities have imposed an immediate ban on sparkler candles inside bars and nightclubs. The local council also announced that an independent external agency has been tasked with inspecting all public venues in the resort.
Prosecutors are investigating the two operators of the bar on suspicion of offenses including negligent homicide. Police said the pair have not been arrested, citing a lack of flight risk and insufficient grounds at this stage.
As the community mourns, the fire has sparked a broader national debate about safety compliance, accountability, and the devastating consequences of regulatory lapses.
