With flags already at half-mast in Switzerland, a chorus of church bells will be heard at 2pm today in memory of the 40 victims of a deadly fire at a mountain resort in Switzerland.
As the country paused to pay respects to the victims, many of whom were young people enjoying a night out, fellow citizens are asking how such a tragedy could unfold in a country that prides itself on safety, high standards and a high standard of living.
The fire, which also injured 116 people, broke out in Crans-Montana in the French-speaking country’s southwest in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Many of the victims were so badly burned that it took days to identify them. Of the injured, the majority remain in hospital and have been transported to specialist clinics as far away as Stuttgart and Paris.
Read more: Years of fire safety inspections have lapsed at a Swiss bar where 40 died in a New Year’s blaze
The scandal has rocked the country, particularly with revelations about failures at “Le Constellation”, a two-story bar in the city, and also by local authorities who enforce fire safety. Officials admitted this week that the bar had not been inspected and inspected for safety since 2019.
“We deeply regret this,” Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Ferraud said at a press conference.
On Friday, a memorial service for the victims will take place in the city of Martigny as part of a national day of mourning. The event was moved from Crans Montana, which sits at an elevation of 1,500 meters due to heavy snow forecast.
Swiss President Guy Permelian, who described the fire as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever suffered”, will attend, along with other local politicians. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian President Sergio Mattarella will also take part in their countries’ commemorations for those who died. The fire victims came from 19 countries.
The disaster has become a tragic backdrop to several global events taking place in Switzerland in the coming weeks, including its World Cup race and the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering of the global elite of executives and politicians in Davos.
Officials in Davis said Thursday they will have a “fire safety proven regime” for the WEF event, which begins Jan. 19, the authority said. Fire services will operate on high alert during the event, the authority said. Additional staff will be deployed, including a special unit directly at the Congress Centre. Where important events take place.
Stores in Davos, even a church, are being repurposed into event spaces and a number of temporary structures have been erected. All require approval and are inspected by Grobenden Cantonal Building Insurance Company.
It’s a similar story in Adelboden, where a World Cup ski race is scheduled for this weekend.
“The operators will do everything they can so that we don’t have a repeat of an incident like this,” Mayor Willy Shrines told SRF radio. “We have a responsibility here.”
Swiss lawmakers held a hearing Thursday with the justice minister and questions about how the country can support the victims of the fire.
Investigation
Meanwhile, Wallace prosecutors continue to investigate the owners of both bars for alleged fire safety failures. Possible charges include reckless homicide and bodily injury. The fire appears to have been triggered by sparks in champagne bottles that ignited a highly flammable, soundproofing foam on the roof.
Insurers are also looking at the fallout from the incident, including damage to survivors of the fire due to their injuries, as well as damage to the families of those who died.
Read more: Swiss bar owners face criminal negligence probe after fire
French insurance company Axa SA said it had provided liability insurance to Kranz Montana and business liability insurance for “LA Bridge”. Axa’s Swiss unit said in a statement that both policies are “standard products” and the sum insured is limited.
Swiss insurers Zurich Insurance Group AG and Helvetia Blois Holding AG declined to comment on either exhibit.
While the town of Crans-Montana struggles to get back on its feet, tourism has not had a significant impact so far, according to Bruno Hügler, director of Crans-Montana Tourism.
In terms of overnight stays, he said, “there have been hardly any early departures or cancellations other than those directly affected.”
Many businesses that closed or reduced opening hours for a time after the fire are now trying to operate as normally as possible.
On the town’s website, a message read: “During this time of shared grief you are invited to visit them with warmth, respect and consideration.”
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