Switzerland - 40 dead and 116 injured in fire in bar in Crans-Montana, Swiss ski resort, 1 January 2026

[Dotta]

I can't tell from the video, but is the chair by the fire extinguisher in front of the exit? I am also wondering about that extinguisher, is it correct type?
The images of the dropping ceiling foam shows it clearly was not professional installed. That is just ridiculous.

Yes.
I saw it too.
What irony!
Put in a corner, forgotten and not used.
Like a prop.

That's why safety procedures must be constantly practised by staff.
Again and again.
And again.

That is why I blame not only the owners,
but municipal authorities as well.
Because they let this place operate.
A place with emergency exit blocked and narrow staircase not fit for purpose in case of emergency.
And staff not trained in safety procedures.
What a shame!!!

 

[Herat]

Yes.
I saw it too.
What irony!
Put in a corner, forgotten and not used.
Like a prop.

That's why safety procedures must be constantly practised by staff.
Again and again.
And again.

That is why I blame not only the owners,
but municipal authorities as well.
Because they let this place operate.
A place with emergency exit blocked and narrow staircase not fit for purpose in case of emergency.
And staff not trained in safety procedures.
What a shame!!!

From what I've seen of the place, it would be impossible to find the fire extinguisher because the place was so dark. That area was intentionally unlit and had there been a fire, probably only the bartender would even know it was there. That means the bartender would have to fight there way across the crowded floor to find it. Who knows if it was ever checked to see if it was charged.

 

[Dotta]

From what I've seen of the place, it would be impossible to find the fire extinguisher because the place was so dark. That area was intentionally unlit and had there been a fire, probably only the bartender would even know it was there. That means the bartender would have to fight there way across the crowded floor to find it. Who knows if it was ever checked to see if it was charged.

Fire extinguishers are checked by Fire Brigade serviceman once a year during inspections.

Or is it more often?

We, at school, have inspections and evacuation drills with the staff and pupils once a school year.
And have compulsory Fire Safety and First Aid trainings also every school year.
I consider myself a professional after so many trainings hehehe

But guess what???

There was not a single inspection in this place for 5 years!!!!

 

[PrairieWind]

Fire extinguishers are checked by Fire Brigade serviceman once a year during inspections.

Or is it more often?

We, at school, have inspections and evacuation drills with the staff and pupils once a school year.
And have compulsory Fire Safety and First Aid trainings also every school year.
I consider myself a professional after so many trainings hehehe

But guess what???

There was not a single inspection in this place for 5 years!!!!

Yep. You can have all the safety regulations in the world, but if no one is actually enforcing them, they don't mean a thing.
I don't understand some of the corners cut by the owners however. I get they wanted some sound dampening. But there are better ways to do that that aren't really that costly. Fire extinguishers are pretty inexpensive as well. And of course the whole sparkler thing is ridiculous.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2016925024662261911

Authorities will question the current and the former heads of public safety in the municipality.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2016858870384382388

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2016850323160084902

"Since Jan 28,
the investigation has expanded to include two security officials in Crans-Montana,
where the local authorities sparked outrage earlier in January
when they revealed that the required annual safety check of the Le Constellation bar had not been carried out since 2019.

The municipality’s current head of public safety is due to be questioned,
as a defendant,
by public prosecutors in the southwestern Swiss canton of Wallis on February 6.

A former Crans-Montana fire safety officer is also due to be questioned as a defendant on Feb 9,
his lawyer David Aioutz told AFP on Jan 29, confirming reports."

 

[Serononin]

"As calls were made in Italy over the weekend
for Italian ski racers to boycott next week’s Alpine World Cup races in Crans-Montana in protest,
Switzerland is trying to appease
– and explain the situation to Italy.

A fundamental principle of Swiss criminal law
is that the accused remains free,
said the Swiss ambassador in Rome.
It is not the police or the public prosecutor’s office that decides on detention, but the judges.
'It is a principle of our democracy and the rule of law that protects us all'.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed a similar view.
He showed understanding for the Italian perspective, but also said:
'I believe Italy is viewing Switzerland’s actions through the lens of Italian law'.
'The separation of powers must be respected', he added."

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/italy-demands-joint-investigation-into-crans-montana-fire/90832971

This is off-topic, but I'm surprised they're holding an elite skiing event literally days before the start of the Winter Olympics. Seems like a packed schedule for the athletes!