The Swiss bar that was the scene of a fire that killed 40 people and injured 116 hadn't undergone safety checks for five years, authorities have said.
The mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, told a Tuesday press conference that he could not explain why Le Constellation bar hadn't been checked in so long, but that the council was "profoundly sorry".
"We regret that - we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility," he said.
He added that sparklers - which are believed to have caused the fire when they were raised too close to the ceiling - will be banned in local venues.
Local authorities will now bring in an external contractor to inspect and audit all 128 venues in the area.
