The Swiss bar that was the scene of a fire which killed 40 people and injured 116 had not undergone safety checks for five years, authorities announced. During a press conference, Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud expressed his profound regret over the oversight, stating that such venues require annual inspections. 'We regret that - we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility,' he said.
The devastating fire is believed to have been ignited by patrons using sparklers too close to the ceiling. In response, the mayor announced a ban on sparklers in local venues and confirmed that all 128 establishments in the area would soon be inspected by an external contractor.
Feraud noted that a limited inspection team was responsible for over 10,000 buildings, which contributed to the lack of checks on the bar since 2019. As news of the tragedy spread, tributes poured in for the victims, further highlighting community grief. The authorities face criticism for their administrative failures which may have led to this tragedy, prompting a call for more robust safety measures in the future.
The devastating fire is believed to have been ignited by patrons using sparklers too close to the ceiling. In response, the mayor announced a ban on sparklers in local venues and confirmed that all 128 establishments in the area would soon be inspected by an external contractor.
Feraud noted that a limited inspection team was responsible for over 10,000 buildings, which contributed to the lack of checks on the bar since 2019. As news of the tragedy spread, tributes poured in for the victims, further highlighting community grief. The authorities face criticism for their administrative failures which may have led to this tragedy, prompting a call for more robust safety measures in the future.
