The Swiss bar that was the scene of a fire that killed 40 people and injured 116 hadn't undergone safety checks for five years, authorities say. The mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, held a press conference expressing his inability to explain the oversight, stating, We regret that - we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility.”
Feraud emphasized that sparklers, believed to have caused the fire, will be banned in local venues. The plan includes hiring an external contractor to assess and audit all 128 venues in the area after admitting that a team of five was responsible for inspecting over 10,000 buildings following a council merger in 2016.
Facing criticism over why La Constellation had not been checked, he reiterated, I have no answer for you today, stressing the council's sorrow and acknowledgment of the tremendous loss. He clarified, however, that he would not resign, stating it would be up to judges to determine the implications of the ongoing criminal investigation.
Feraud emphasized that sparklers, believed to have caused the fire, will be banned in local venues. The plan includes hiring an external contractor to assess and audit all 128 venues in the area after admitting that a team of five was responsible for inspecting over 10,000 buildings following a council merger in 2016.
Facing criticism over why La Constellation had not been checked, he reiterated, I have no answer for you today, stressing the council's sorrow and acknowledgment of the tremendous loss. He clarified, however, that he would not resign, stating it would be up to judges to determine the implications of the ongoing criminal investigation.
