> At a Glance
> – No fire-safety inspections at Le Constellation bar from 2020-2025
> – 40 dead, 116 injured after sparklers on Champagne bottles ignited ceiling
> – Criminal probe opened against two managers for involuntary homicide
> – Why it matters: Gap in oversight may have contributed to Switzerland’s deadliest nightclub fire in decades
A five-year lapse in fire-safety inspections at the Swiss bar Le Constellation preceded the New Year’s Day inferno that killed 40 partygoers and injured 116, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
The Oversight Gap
Crans-Montana officials admitted periodic safety checks stopped after 2019. Documents show inspections in 2016, 2018 and 2019 requested modifications, yet none flagged the soundproofing now under scrutiny.
Nicolas Féraud, head of the municipal government, stated:
> “We regret this bitterly.”
He added that an external expert reviewed the bar’s soundproofing in September 2024 and deemed it compliant with anti-noise rules, without commenting on fire safety.
What Ignited the Tragedy
Investigators believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles brushed the ceiling shortly after 1:30 a.m., setting the blaze. Questions remain whether:
- The ceiling material met fire-code standards
- The candles were authorized for indoor use
- Crowd levels exceeded the licensed 200-person split between ground floor and basement
Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into two managers on suspicion of:
- Involuntary homicide
- Involuntary bodily harm
- Involuntarily causing a fire
International Toll
Victims came from several countries. France alone lost nine citizens, the youngest aged 14, with 23 others injured. The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched a parallel probe to ease coordination for French families.
| Inspection Year | Issues Raised | Soundproofing Flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Modifications requested | No |
| 2018 | Modifications requested | No |
| 2019 | Modifications requested | No |
| 2020-2025 | No inspections | – |
The municipality has now banned indoor fireworks and ordered external audits of nightlife venues.
Key Takeaways
- Five-year inspection hiatus left Le Constellation unchecked before the fatal fire
- Criminal case targets two managers for involuntary homicide
- France opened auxiliary probe after nine French deaths
- New municipal rules prohibit indoor pyrotechnics and mandate third-party audits
The judicial inquiry will determine whether the oversight gap influenced the catastrophe that shattered a New Year’s celebration and claimed 40 lives.
