A popular bar in a renowned Swiss ski resort became the site of a deadly fire, with a shocking investigation revealing the establishment had not undergone mandatory safety inspections for six consecutive years. The tragic incident in Crans-Montana has raised severe questions about local regulatory enforcement.
Mayor Expresses Shock Over Regulatory Failure
Addressing the media in the aftermath of the blaze, Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud expressed profound regret. "We are deeply sorry. We had no indication that the checks had not been done as requested," Feraud told reporters. He confirmed that bars and similar establishments in the town are legally required to undergo comprehensive fire safety inspections every year. The system's apparent breakdown, allowing a venue to operate for six years without this critical oversight, is now at the center of a growing scandal.
Annual Safety Mandate Ignored for Half a Decade
The core of the failure lies in the neglect of a fundamental safety protocol. While local regulations strictly mandate annual fire safety inspections for all bars, this particular establishment managed to avoid this crucial process from 2020 through to the start of 2026. This prolonged period without a formal check allowed potential hazards, which might have been identified and rectified, to persist unnoticed. The community and authorities are now grappling with how such a significant lapse could occur in a well-known tourist destination.
Investigation and Broader Implications
The fire, which resulted in multiple fatalities, was reported by international news agency Reuters on 06 January 2026. The revelation of the missed inspections has triggered not just a criminal probe into the fire's cause, but also an urgent administrative review of enforcement procedures across Crans-Montana. Authorities are under pressure to audit all hospitality venues immediately to ensure compliance with safety laws and restore public trust. This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the catastrophic consequences when routine safety measures are overlooked.
