Valais

Valais is a canton in Switzerland, known for its mountainous terrain and popular ski resorts like Crans-Montana. It is currently newsworthy due to a devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, which resulted in 40 deaths and 116 injuries. The fire, believed to have been started by sparklers attached to champagne bottles, has prompted a criminal investigation into local officials and the bar's owner, Jacques Moretti, who has been detained. The Valais region has banned pyrotechnics in indoor public venues in response. The incident has also sparked national soul-searching in Switzerland regarding the effectiveness and oversight of its devolved system of government, as the bar had not undergone safety inspections for five years. The tragedy has raised questions about safety regulations and enforcement in Swiss resorts.