A devastating fire at a Swiss bar during New Year's celebrations has resulted in 40 fatalities and 116 injuries, prompting the local mayor to issue an immediate ban on sparkler candles. The blaze at Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana on 1 January 2026 claimed the lives of many young people, with dozens more in a life-threatening condition in hospital.
Mayor Apologises and Announces Safety Ban
At a press conference on Tuesday 6 January, Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud offered a profound apology and confirmed a significant safety measure. "We are profoundly sorry," he told reporters. He announced that all sparkler candles, identified as the cause of the fire, are now banned inside the town's venues.
Mayor Feraud revealed a critical failure in safety oversight, stating that the Le Constellation bar had not undergone a mandatory fire safety inspection since 2019. He admitted authorities had no indication the checks were overdue, despite a local requirement for annual inspections of all bars.
Inspection Failures and Legal Fallout
The Municipality of Crans-Montana has commissioned an external firm to conduct immediate inspections of all public establishments in the area. In the wake of the tragedy, authorities have also closed another venue operated by the two managers of Le Constellation.
The Valais region's chief prosecutor confirmed the managers are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire. However, as of Sunday, police stated the circumstances did not merit their arrest, citing no flight risk.
Feraud provided context from the 2019 inspection report, which noted no problems and deemed the bar's soundproofing foam acceptable at the time. He also explained that the bar's size meant it was not legally required to have a fire alarm.
Victims Identified and Ongoing Recovery
All victims of the fire have now been identified. The process was complicated by the severity of burns, requiring DNA samples from families. Among the deceased was 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, a joint British, Israeli, and French national who previously attended Immanuel College, a private school in Hertfordshire.
Her family expressed their heartbreak on social media, stating: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister."
As of Monday, Swiss police confirmed that 83 of the 116 injured people remain in hospital. The majority of the victims were teenagers, marking the incident as one of Switzerland's deadliest nightlife disasters in recent history.
