The municipality of Crans-Montana in Switzerland has acknowledged shortcomings in the periodic fire safety inspections of Le Constellation bar, where a devastating blaze on New Year's Eve claimed 40 lives and left 116 people injured, many of them severely. This admission marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into one of Switzerland's worst peacetime disasters.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of January 1, 2026, when fire erupted at approximately 1:30 AM in the basement bar located in the heart of the luxury Alpine ski resort. Investigators believe the fire was ignited when sparkling candles attached to champagne bottles came into contact with flammable acoustic foam panels on the ceiling, causing the flames to spread rapidly through the crowded venue that had a capacity of 400 people.
According to Swiss media reports, the bar's owners stated they had only been inspected three times over the course of ten years, despite regulations requiring annual fire safety checks. The municipality of Crans-Montana is the authority responsible for conducting these mandatory inspections, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight in the popular tourist destination.
The acknowledgment of inspection failures comes as cantonal prosecutors have opened criminal investigations against the bar's two owner-managers on suspicion of negligent homicide, causing bodily harm through negligence, and negligent arson. Fire safety experts have criticized what they describe as a combination of cost-saving choices, regulatory blind spots, and enforcement failures that allowed the dangerous conditions to persist.
The disaster triggered an unprecedented emergency response, with 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances, and 150 first responders deployed to the scene. Intensive care units in the Valais region quickly reached capacity, forcing authorities to transfer 24 critically injured patients to hospitals in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland. By January 5, all 40 victims and 116 injured had been identified.
Swiss President has described the fire as "one of the worst tragedies our country has experienced." The Federal Council ordered flags on federal buildings to be flown at half-mast and declared a five-day period of national mourning. A national day of remembrance on January 9 will be marked by a moment of silence and the tolling of church bells across Switzerland at 2:00 PM.
The investigation continues to focus on the use of inferior acoustic panels that rapidly caught fire, with experts suggesting that a responsible fire inspection should have demanded their replacement. The case has sparked a broader debate about fire safety regulations and enforcement across Switzerland's hospitality industry.
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