The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Has the Crans-Montana fire changed your perception of Switzerland?

Hosted by:

I work as editor and correspondent at the Federal Palace. I report on Swiss politics for the Swiss Abroad and manage our political talk show Let's Talk. I started in local journalism in the early nineties and have worked in many journalistic fields, held management positions and covered a range of topics. I joined SWI swissinfo.ch in 2017.

Switzerland has a reputation for being safe and rule-abiding. This makes the tragedy of the Crans-Montana bar fire all the more incomprehensible to some. Has your perception of Switzerland changed? Will the country’s reputation suffer? What do you think needs to be done to prevent Switzerland’s image from being damaged?

More
Crans-Montana

More

Swiss Politics

Crans-Montana tragedy highlights limits of Swiss federal system

This content was published on The Crans-Montana bar fire has raised questions and criticism abroad: how could such a tragedy occur in Switzerland, which is often viewed as “the land of rules”? An analysis by Swissinfo journalists.

Read more: Crans-Montana tragedy highlights limits of Swiss federal system

Join the conversation!

Contributions must adhere to our guidelines. If you have questions or wish to suggest other ideas for debates, please, get in touch!
Aoar
Aoar

Actually, it does not change anything, but rather confirms that Switzerland is projecting an image that does not correspond to reality.

Dio
Dio

Whilst this is a devastating tragedy, I I am not surprised it happened. ____Here you do not ever see any sprinklers or fire extinguishers in any restaurant or night clubs. I’ve only seen them in department stores, once. ____I believe Switzerland is a progressive country in reform or some modern laws, but having said that still quite traditional, with numerous infrastructures that are outdated. ____Hope justice will prevail, as many many families need it. ____I hope they don’t get a slap on the wrist nor that they fade away in time. __Many things are swept under the rug.

rcyit
rcyit

Unfortunately yes, my perception of Switzerland has changed, significantly. Having been to Crans-Montana and having family that has owned there for 30 years made this tragedy strike home.____Knowing the hoops chalet owners go through to assure fire safety insisted by the government while completely preventable situation unfolded at this bar.____Hindsight is always 20-20, In Rhode Island USA back to 2003, 23 years ago, there was a very similar incident, packed bar, pyrotechnics and a foam sprayed ceiling. That was felt around the modern world, everyone who kept up on news whatsoever knew what happened there and fire codes changed internationally. 100 young people died and over 200 were injured.____The ultimate price is paid by the souls lost New Years Eve, it is a tragedy that the Swiss authorities did not take heed to the situation in Rhode Island - this should never have happened.____God bless the families of the lost and my the people that survived this tragedy overcome their injuries both physical and psychological.

LockLSuz
LockLSuz

It is a huge tragedy and it can not happen again. I think that the actions and competence of the Crans Montana municipality has to be part of the investigation. Relying on the commonsense of the owners running these establishments. Yes it was their responsiblity too, but when owners fail, the public must be able to trust that the system will step in and prevent tragedy and awful and unnecessary accidents. My condolences to the victims, their families and emergency workers.

Donat-Magnin Paule
Donat-Magnin Paule
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

The Canton of Valais has announced the opening of an account for Cran Montana. How can I find out more?

la Canton du Valais à annoncé l'ouverture d'u compte pour Cran Montana comment se renseigner

Balz Rigendinger
Balz Rigendinger SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Donat-Magnin Paule

Here is the information from the Canton of Valais on this topic:__https://www.vs.ch/web/communication/w/incendie-de-crans-montana-aide-financière-et-interdiction-des-engins-pyrotechniques

Hier sind die Informationen des Kantons Wallis zu diesem Thema:__https://www.vs.ch/web/communication/w/incendie-de-crans-montana-aide-financière-et-interdiction-des-engins-pyrotechniques

Della Rosa
Della Rosa
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

In this tragedy, in addition to blatant private greed and public shortcomings, we forget that the drama was triggered by the superficial behaviour of those present.__The reality of those who have been educated in an uncontrolled and irresponsible manner: a typical expression of today's virtual and evanescent world.

In questa tragedia, oltre alla palese avidità privata e alle carenze pubbliche ci si dimentica che il dramma è stato scatenato dalla superficialità di comportamento dei presenti.__Realtà di chi si è formato in modo incontrollato ed irresponsabile: espressione tipica del mondo virtuale ed evanescente di oggi.

RobboGBRIcogneCH
RobboGBRIcogneCH

As a British citizen who has been visiting Crans Montana pretty much every year for the last 20 years, staying with family nearby in Summer and Winter seasons, after weeks of reflection here is my view, following some of the conversations being had here in UK, amongst friends, finance industry colleagues and family.____I will start with the positive, we love the Valais, the Swiss people, our friends and locals (Crans - Lens, Icogne, Sierre and Sion). To the extent that I was in the process of setting up a company there. ____I tell everyone after 20 years of visits, there are no grey areas in Switzerland, it is very black and white, where its people join in making sure other people do not step out of line. ____What I find REALLY REALLY unbelievable and strongly object to is the amount of ‘double standards’ in the Crans Montana Municipality, local Communes of the Valais area, who have very recently put foreign chalet home owners and i am sure others through the mill, due to fire flue regulations (2016). ____My parents follow all the rule, regulations and respect everything about the area and the Swiss people. So following the recent service, the chalet built in 2008 required scaffolding erected, wood to be removed, inspected, and new rendering applied and follow up to confirm, total cost 13,000 CHF. Our friends and local neighbours have done the same (one 94,000 CHF). ____And yet, a PUBLIC hospitality venue, which is smack bang in the centre of Crans hasn’t been inspected for Fire Regs for 6 years……..it absolutely stinks. The whole saga. I know I am__not the only person thinking this, so here we go….____There must be people within public office, officials, who have either failed to carry out fire inspections of ‘several’ public venues across Crans Montana, a famous and wonderful place. ____Or there are circumstances where public officials turn a blind eye to support local establishments, rather than rock the boat. ____I we can go one further and suggest that there are some people who have been taking back handers (cash) in a mafia like manner…. F__for years.____I like the fact that the independent Valais or other prosecutor has removed Crans Montana from the Plaintiff list. ____The reputational damage has left a huge black mark, in order to salvage it, official heads need to roll. Top to bottom.____Rather than directing traffic, it might be worth sending the local police, fire and other officials into EVERY single other hospitality venue and check all the fire related records are up to date in the same way you have made all chalet owners.____If I were a betting man (am not), I would wager there are other holes in the public venue fire records.

Della Rosa
Della Rosa
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

For 20 years, I have happily spent most of my life in Switzerland and share the healthy national philosophy based on the common interest, which is also enshrined in the confederation's motto. In Switzerland, I have a cultural association, I write books and a biannual magazine, and I have organised four photographic exhibitions. For me, Switzerland is a paradise, a perfect therapy to relieve the damage I suffered on the peninsula, which is constantly growing.I am very sorry for what has happened. Knowing Switzerland, it does not seem real to me. Everything will certainly be clarified.

Da 20 anni passo buona parte della mia vita felicemente in Svizzera e condivido la sana filosofia nazionale fondata sull'interesse comune, sancito anche dal motto confederale.__In Svizzera ho un'associazione culturale, ci scrivo libri ed un semestrale, ci ho allestito 4 mostre fotografiche.__La Svizzera, per me, è un paradiso, una perfetta terapia di sollievo dai danni ricevuti in penisola, sempre in crescendo.__Mi dispiace molto per ciò che è accaduto. Conoscendo la Svizzera non mi sembra vero.__Tutto sarà con certezza chiarito.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR