General · 7 January 2026
Swiss ski bar fire victims families shocked at missing inspections
Families of victims from the Swiss ski bar fire that killed 40 people on New Year's Day expressed shock after learning the venue had not been inspected for five years. Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana should have received annual fire safety checks but the last inspection was in 2019. The mayor admitted officials could not explain the oversight and bitterly regretted it. The fire was likely caused by champagne bottle sparklers igniting ceiling foam. Both bar managers face negligent manslaughter charges.
Reported by CNN · How we write briefs