From left, François Berclaz, Municipal Councillor of Crans-Montana, Nicole Bonvin Clivaz, Vice Mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, Mayor of Crans-Montana, Patrick Clivaz, Municipal Councillor of Crans-Montana, take part in a press conference of the Municipal Council following the fire that broke out at a New Year's party, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. CYRIL ZINGARO / AP
Swiss local authorities admitted Tuesday, January 6 that fire safety inspections had not been carried out for the past five years at a bar where 40 people died and dozens were injured in a New Year blaze. "Periodic inspections were not conducted between 2020 and 2025. We bitterly regret this," Crans-Montana mayor Nicolas Feraud told a press conference in the Alpine ski resort, five days after the disaster at Le Constellation bar.
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In Switzerland, grief and anger simmer, four days after deadly bar fire
The authorities have said they believe the fire started when people celebrating New Year raised champagne bottles with sparklers attached, setting light to sound insulating foam on the ceiling of the bar's basement.
