- Swiss authorities have announced sweeping restrictions on the use of pyrotechnic devices in indoor public venues
- This follows the New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana
- There, at least 40 people were killed, and 116 were injured
Swiss authorities have announced sweeping restrictions on the use of pyrotechnic devices in indoor public venues following the New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, where at least 40 people were killed, and 116 were injured.
The Swiss canton of Valais confirmed a blanket ban on pyrotechnics in all indoor public venues, citing the scale of the tragedy at the Le Constellation bar.
Authorities also announced that each victim would receive an emergency payment of 10,000 Swiss francs, with a public fund established to collect donations for those affected.
The canton of Geneva has since announced a similar ban, just days after Vaud became the first of Switzerland’s 26 regions to prohibit indoor pyrotechnics.
The fire broke out shortly after 1.30 am on New Year’s Eve as hundreds of young partygoers gathered in the basement venue to celebrate the start of the year.
Investigators believe the fire was triggered by fountain sparklers attached to champagne bottles, which ignited sound-insulating foam padding lining the ceiling.
That foam remains central to the investigation, with experts assessing whether it was sufficiently fire-resistant and properly approved for use in a crowded public entertainment venue.
Fire safety specialists have warned that the materials, although commonly used for acoustic insulation, can rapidly spread flames and release toxic smoke if not treated properly.
Authorities have since acknowledged that the bar had not undergone a safety inspection for five years, a detail that has shocked families of the victims.
Many of those who died were teenagers or in their early twenties, with eight victims under the age of 16.
The bar’s co-owners, French nationals Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica Moretti, 40, have been accused of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence.
Jacques Moretti is currently being held in custody for an initial 90-day period, while his wife has surrendered her passport and is required to report to police daily.
Former employees have told French television that safety conditions inside the venue were inadequate, alleging that fire extinguishers were kept in a locked room, emergency exits were frequently blocked or locked, and staff had received no formal fire safety training.
Eighty of the injured remain in hospitals across Switzerland and other European countries, many with severe burns.
Among the dead is 17-year-old Dubai-based golfer Emanuele Galeppini, after reportedly attending the party.
One lawyer representing families of the victims said an online platform had been launched to gather testimonies related to the disaster.
“This initiative aims to facilitate the investigation for the benefit of the victims,” Romain Jordan said, per the BBC, adding that it was not intended to replace the official inquiry.
Among the deceased was a 24-year-old waitress, widely identified as Cyane Panine from Sète in south-east France, who was seen in a widely circulated video wearing a helmet and holding a champagne bottle with a sparkler moments before the ceiling caught fire.
Her family issued a statement saying: “Whatever the outcome of the investigation, this young woman followed her employers’ instructions. She did what the general manager asked her to do. Nothing unusual. This young employee is in no way responsible.”
Fire safety campaigners say the tragedy has reignited urgent questions about building regulations, particularly the materials used in entertainment venues where large crowds gather.
Comparisons have been drawn to last year’s deadly fire in Hong Kong, where flammable bamboo scaffolding accelerated the spread of flames.
As investigations continue, Swiss authorities say further regulatory changes are under consideration, while prosecutors examine potential systemic failures that allowed the Crans-Montana venue to operate for years without adequate oversight.
