Swiss bar where 40 died in fire had not been inspected for five years

A devastating fire that killed 40 people at a Swiss ski resort bar on New Year's Eve occurred at a venue that had not received a legally required safety inspection for five years, officials have disclosed. The revelation emerged during a Tuesday news conference in Crans-Montana, where authorities provided updates on the investigation into the tragedy at the 'Le Constellation' bar.

Lapse in regulatory oversight

Local officials confirmed that the bar had not been subject to any safety checks, audits, or inspections since 2019, despite regulations mandating annual reviews. Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud stated that ultimate responsibility for compliance lies with the bar's managers, saying "it is down to the managers of the ski bar to know whether they are within the regulations." In response to the disaster, the mayor announced an immediate ban on sparkler candles inside venues, which preliminary findings indicate ignited the fire.

Ongoing criminal investigation

The disclosure of the inspection failure adds a critical dimension to the ongoing criminal probe into the fire, which also left 116 people injured. Investigators are examining multiple factors, including reports of underage patrons, blocked emergency exits, and overall safety protocol failures. Two bar managers have already been formally accused of negligent homicide and arson.

A universal imperative for enforcement

The catastrophic failure of regulatory enforcement in a developed nation like Switzerland serves as a grave warning for municipalities worldwide. For countries like Türkiye, which hosts numerous seasonal tourism venues and prioritizes public safety, the incident underscores the non-negotiable importance of rigorous, consistent inspections and the severe human cost of bureaucratic complacency, regardless of a nation's wealth or reputation for order.