Swiss bar in deadly blaze had missed six years of safety checks |
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (Reuters) — The Swiss bar where 40 people were killed in a fire over New Year’s had not been subjected to any annual safety inspections since 2019, the mayor of the ski resort of Crans-Montana said on Tuesday.
Swiss authorities have been searching for explanations for the blaze, which tore through the Le Constellation bar in the early hours of January 1. Most of the victims were teenagers, including an Israeli.
“We are deeply sorry. We had no indication that the checks had not been done as requested,” Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud told reporters, adding that bars in the town are meant to have such inspections each year.
Prosecutors have said the fire was likely caused by sparkling candles igniting the ceiling of the bar’s basement, which was covered in a foam material used for soundproofing.
A video from New Year’s Eve 2019-2020 shared by Swiss broadcaster RTS showed revelers carrying........