Swiss ski bar not inspected for five years before deadly fire, mayor says

The New Year's Eve fire at a bar in Crans-Montana killed 40 people and injured 116.

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The mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, told a Tuesday news conference that he could not explain why Le Constellation bar had not been checked in so long, but that the council was "profoundly sorry". The venues should have been checked annually.

"We regret that - we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility," he said.

He added that sparklers - which are believed to have caused the fire when they were raised too close to the ceiling - will be banned in local venues.

Local authorities will now bring in an external contractor to inspect and audit all 128 venues in the area.