Local authorities revealed on Tuesday that fire safety inspections had not been conducted at a bar where a tragic fire during a New Year’s party claimed the lives of 40 individuals and left over 100 injured. Investigators suspect that the fire at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana was sparked by festive candles placed too close to the ceiling. The authorities are investigating whether the ceiling’s soundproofing material met safety regulations and if the use of candles at the bar was authorized.

Swiss officials have initiated a criminal investigation against the bar managers for charges including involuntary homicide, bodily harm, and causing a fire unintentionally. Responsibility for safety inspections was assigned to the municipality, with the head of Crans-Montana’s municipal government acknowledging that inspections had been conducted at Le Constellation until 2019. However, it was discovered post-fire that no inspections were carried out between 2020 and 2025.

The mayor expressed regret over the lack of recent safety checks and stated that judicial authorities would determine the potential impact on the chain of events leading to the tragic incident. An external expert had conducted a soundproofing analysis in September, confirming compliance with anti-noise regulations. The severity of burns made identifying some victims challenging, with families needing to provide DNA samples. Investigators have identified all 40 deceased individuals and all 116 injured parties.

Reports from previous inspections indicated a maximum capacity for the bar’s ground floor and basement, but the exact number of individuals present during the fire remains uncertain. The mayor highlighted that the bar owners are under investigation for negligence due to the absence of safety inspections since 2019.