Swiss Bar Hit by Deadly Fire Was Not Inspected for Five Years, Authorities Say

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Aurelien Breeden and Ségolène Le StradicJanuary 6, 2026 at 11:08 AM

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A deadly bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, that killed 40 people is under investigation, revealing potential negligence by local authorities. Officials acknowledged that the Le Constellation bar had not undergone safety inspections between 2020 and 2025. The bar owners are also under criminal investigation regarding the fire, which investigators believe was caused by sparklers igniting flammable foam insulation in the basement. Concerns have emerged regarding long-standing safety hazards at the bar, including the foam ceiling, use of sparklers, and inadequate emergency exits. The mayor of Crans-Montana expressed regret for the oversight, stating that the justice system will determine if the lack of inspections contributed to the tragedy.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

RTS ×240% Swiss Alps 50% Nicolas Féraud ×370% Le Constellation ×275% Switzerland ×280% Crans-Montana ×490%

Keywords

bar fire 100% safety inspections 90% lax oversight 80% fire safety regulations 70% flammable foam 60% negligence 60% sparklers 50% emergency exits 50% criminal investigation 40%