Swiss bar hit by deadly New Year’s fire had no safety checks in five years

Local authorities have revealed that no safety checks have been conducted at a Swiss bar where 40 people have died during New Year’s Eve celebrations for more than five years.

No fire checks at the Le Constellation ski bar have been conducted since 2019, according to Mayor of Crans-Montana Nicolas Feraud, who spoke at a press conference on Tuesday.

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Between 2020 and 2025, no periodic inspections were conducted. In the Alpine ski resort, Feraud addressed the media with a bitter regret.

Early on New Year’s Day, the fire destroyed the well-known ski bar. The majority of the victims were teenagers. A 14-year-old Swiss girl was the youngest victim, followed by two 15-year-old Swiss girls. 39 years old, the oldest was a French national.

On Monday, police announced that 83 patients are still receiving medical attention in hospitals. 116 people were hurt in the fire overall.

Authorities believe the bar’s basement had been lit by revelers who raised champagne bottles with attached lit sparklers, creating sound-insulating foam.

Feraud claimed that the foam was deemed appropriate at the bar’s most recent fire safety inspection in 2019.

The mayor announced that Crans-Montana’s bars and clubs now have no longer accept sparkler candles. An external agency was appointed to further inspect all public buildings, according to a statement from the local council.