The Swiss New Year tragedy, where foam sound-proofing tiles ignited, revealed that the safety of the tiles had not been tested for six years. The mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, acknowledged that the party venue where 40 people lost their lives in a ski bar fire on New Year’s Day had not undergone safety checks for the same period.
Mayor Feraud disclosed that no safety inspections had occurred at Le Constellation bar since 2019. The bar’s ceiling, covered with sound-proofing panels, likely caught fire from sparklers in champagne bottles held too close to them. Authorities are investigating if the soundproofing material and candles in the bar met regulations.
Mr. Feraud expressed regret over the lack of safety checks, emphasizing they would have taken immediate action if alerted to any concerns. Despite the tragic incident, he stated he would not resign, underscoring the extensive responsibilities managed by a small team overseeing numerous buildings in the area.
Following the incident, a thorough audit of all venues is underway, with a focus on enhanced safety checks. Prosecutors suspect the fire resulted from sparkling candles igniting the bar’s ceiling. A criminal investigation targets the bar managers for involuntary harm and causing a fire.
The authorities have identified the injured individuals, with 116 people affected, many still hospitalized. The injured include citizens from various countries, emphasizing the international impact of the tragedy. Efforts are being made to address safety lapses and ensure accountability for the devastating consequences.