General · 6 January 2026
Swiss bar fire kills 40; lacked 5 years inspection.
Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana had not been inspected for fire safety since 2019, despite local regulations requiring annual checks of public establishments. The New Year's Eve blaze killed 40 people and injured 116 others when champagne bottle sparklers ignited the ceiling. Mayor Nicolas Feraud admitted the council bitterly regrets the oversight and will accept responsibility. Criminal charges have been filed against the bar owners for negligence.
Reported by CNN · How we write briefs