The mayor of a Swiss ski resort has publicly admitted that a bar where a devastating fire killed 40 people on New Year's Eve had not undergone any mandatory safety inspections for the past five years.
Mayor Expresses Profound Regret Over Inspection Failure
Speaking at a press conference in Crans-Montana five days after the disaster, Mayor Nicolas Féraud stated with remorse that periodic inspections were not conducted at Le Constellation bar between 2020 and 2025. "We bitterly regret this," Féraud told reporters, emphasising the municipality's desire for "full transparency" for the victims and their families.
Féraud explained that he had "no answer" as to why the bar, renovated in 2015, had not been checked annually as required by local bylaws. He noted that a team of just five safety officers was responsible for inspecting over 10,000 buildings in the area. Despite the catastrophic oversight, Féraud said he and his fellow councillors would not resign, stating they were elected by the people and would not "jump ship now".
Details of the New Year's Eve Catastrophe
The fire broke out in the crowded basement party room of Le Constellation. Authorities believe it started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles, known locally as "Bengal fountains", were held too close to the ceiling. Social media images suggest the ceiling was clad with soundproofing foam, which the mayor said was considered acceptable at the time of the bar's last inspection.
The tragedy claimed the lives of 40 partygoers and injured 116 others. The victims, all identified by Sunday, included:
- 21 Swiss nationals
- 9 French citizens (including two dual nationals)
- 6 Italians
- 1 person each from Belgium, Portugal, Romania, and Turkey
The victims were aged between 14 and 39, with an average age of just 19. Twenty of those who died were minors. Of the 116 injured, 83 remain in hospital with severe burns.
Ongoing Investigations and Immediate Actions
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation focusing on the bar's owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, on suspicion of homicide by negligence. The mayor confirmed the couple have not been arrested, but a second establishment they own has been closed.
The municipality has joined the criminal proceedings as a civil party and handed all relevant documents to investigators to help establish the facts. In a swift regulatory response, sparklers have now been banned inside all venues within the Crans-Montana resort.
The first foreign victims, five Italians, were repatriated on Monday. The resort will hold a memorial ceremony on Friday, which French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend.
