FWIW, I read on a German website or newspaper (sorry, no cite, I have forgotten where), that the municipality of Crans Montana is known as a “notoriously corrupt and nepotist region”. Make of that what you will, but of course even in countries like Switzerland, there certainly is corruption and bribery.
Great to hear. 
I’m actually going to Crans-Montana in three weeks for a long-planned trip with my ski club. I hope they are doing some emergency inspections of the buildings in town, and that owners are taking a close look at their facilities.
This tragedy has certainly given some macabre name recognition to the place. A month ago, before the fire, I told friends where I was going, and they only heard the “Montana” part.
Actually it is a beautiful place, especially in winter. I’m afraid its reputation is a bit ruined for the moment but I’m sure they are taking more care now since they heavily depend on tourists.
Good luck and have a nice trip!
It tangentially is related, though. Quite independent of a fire risk, carrying around sparklers in champagne bottles is the sort of thing that is considered hilarious by drunk people while sober people will think „so, this is supposed to be entertaining in some way?“
But of course that in no way shifts any of the blame, because
- it is the business of a bar at 1:30 AM to facilitate its patrons getting at least tipsy if not drunk.
- fire safety of a venue must be geared to behaviour of patrons that is to be realistically expected, rather than behaviour that is moralistically postulated.
Yes, I’ve read that several times too. The Swiss always seem to be a little disparaging about Valais. I think they’re annoyed that Switzerland’s good reputation has been tarnished by this accident in a canton that is viewed very critically in terms of Swiss standards.
Wasn’t the wait staff the ones wielding the pyrotechnics?
Yes (seems to have been a longstanding practice too), but only because they (correctly, I assume) expected the crowd to consider it entertaining.
Jacques Moretti, the bar owner, has admitted to investigators that the emergency exit had been locked from the inside (and of course became a death trap) and that he installed the ceiling foam himself, which he bought from the hardware store chain Hornbach (not a good outlook on them, too, even if Moretti used the foam against code).
For whatever reason, Moretti (the bar owner) personally narrowed the only staircase leading from the bar in the basement to the upper floor. He reduced it to 1.37 cm (as reported in the Swiss press). This is very narrow; basically, only one person at a time can go up the stairs, which is not suitable in the event of panic. What on earth was Moretti thinking?
And that person would have to be a Lilliputian.
Either would have full protective fire-fighting gear in this case.
Many people primarily died poisoned by toxic gas from the suspended insulation foam. A young Italian golfer was found outside with no burns, he obviously died of gas poisoning.
That is less than an inch. One witness said about 2 meters (slightly over 6 feet) wide.
It may be a typo for reducing it to 1.37m, which is very narrow.
Is there any indication that the fire inspectors who have not inspected this place for six years are under investigation for criminal negligence, same as the bar owners?
A number of years ago, Japan also had a fire in a club. It may have been in a hostess club. Same kind of thing where too many people and the back exit was blocked.
Nightlife in Japan often operated in a shadow zone with kickbacks and such.
May I tweak this for you?
Nightlife i
in Japanworldwide often operated in a shadow zone with kickbacks and such.
Sorry, my fault, I wanted to say 1, 37 m (not cm!), that is one meter and 37 cm. It seems that it is one third less than it has been originally. It was my typo.
The bar owner has been taken into custody, his wife is under house arrest with an electronic ankle bracelet.
Thanks for the update.