The Swiss bar Le Constellation, where 40 people died in a fire on New Year’s Eve, had its last full safety inspection in 2019. Nicolas Feraud, the mayor of the Crans-Montana ski resort, said.
“We apologise. We had no information that the checks did not take place,” Feraud told a press conference.
The mayor said he had no answer as to why the bar had not undergone its annual inspection, but noted that a team of five security officers is responsible for checking more than 10,000 buildings.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the fire was likely started by Bengal lights whose sparks hit the ceiling, which was covered with acoustic foam. Fero said the foam rubber was deemed acceptable during the last inspection. He added that the use of Bengal lights is now banned at the resort.
Police have identified all 40 people who died in the fire. They include citizens of Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Romania and Turkey. The dead were aged between 14 and 39, with 20 of the victims being minors.
All 116 victims have also been identified. Of those, 83 suffered severe burns and are still hospitalised.
Law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation into the two owners of the bar, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who are suspected of manslaughter and negligent bodily harm, among other offences.
Crans-Montana, a town in the Alps known not only as a popular destination for skiers but also for golf fans. The fire at Le Constellation is described as the biggest tragedy in the history of modern Switzerland.