Swiss local authorities have admitted that no safety inspections were carried out for five years at the bar in Crans-Montana where a devastating fire during New Year’s Eve celebrations killed 40 people and injured 119.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of January 1 at the crowded Le Constellation bar in the Alpine ski resort. Speaking at a press conference, Mayor Nicolas Feraud said periodic inspections had not been conducted between 2020 and 2025. “We bitterly regret this,” he said, adding that the municipality was “profoundly sorry” for the failure.
Feraud said officials had not been aware that the checks had lapsed. He also noted that the soundproof foam used in the venue was considered compliant at the time. Prosecutors, however, believe the fire spread rapidly after sparkling candles ignited the ceiling of the bar’s basement.
In response to the tragedy, authorities have announced a ban on the use of sparkling candles inside public venues.
Victims identified, many still hospitalised
Authorities confirmed that all 40 victims who died have been identified, with the youngest just 14 years old. Among the injured are 68 Swiss citizens, 21 French, 10 Italians, four Serbs, two Poles and one each from Australia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Portugal and the Republic of Congo, along with four dual nationals.
Police said 83 people remain hospitalised. Identification was complicated by the severity of burns, requiring families to provide DNA samples.
Investigation underway
Swiss prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the bar’s managers on suspicion of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire.
The Municipality of Crans-Montana said it has submitted all relevant documents to prosecutors, outlining administrative procedures related to the establishment’s compliance. While more than 1,400 fire inspections were conducted across the municipality in 2025, officials acknowledged that this particular venue had not undergone periodic checks for several years.
“The municipality deeply regrets this failure,” it said in a statement, adding that it remains committed to supporting victims and their families and to ensuring such a tragedy is not repeated.
Earlier this week, the bodies of five Italian victims were repatriated from Sion airport in a solemn ceremony attended by emergency personnel and mourners.
