Swiss Bar Hit by Deadly Fire Was Not Inspected for Five Years, Authorities Say
The New York Times••world
Key Points:
- Swiss authorities admitted they failed to conduct regular safety inspections between 2020 and 2025 at the Crans-Montana bar where a deadly fire killed 40 people and injured over 100 during New Year’s celebrations.
- The bar’s owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are under criminal investigation for suspected negligence, while local officials face criticism for lax enforcement of fire safety regulations.
- Investigators believe the fire was caused by sparklers placed on alcohol bottles that ignited flammable foam on the basement ceiling, with videos from 2019 showing partygoers using such sparklers despite known hazards.
- The mayor of Crans-Montana expressed regret over the oversight failures and stated that the justice system will determine the impact
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