Another Swiss Canton Bans Pyrotechnic Devices
15th January 2026
Last modified on January 18th, 2026
The Swiss canton of Valais is the latest to ban them in all indoor public places. It follows a fire at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana where 40 people were killed and 116 were injured. NEW
The canton of Vaud was the first to outlaw them and was followed by the canton of Geneva.
Switzerland has 26 cantons.
The blaze at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana is believed to have started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles set light to sound-insulating foam padding on the ceiling.
Crans-Montana is in the Valais Canton.
See here for PlanetSKI’s coverage of the tragedy:
- 40 people killed in fire at bar in Crans-Montana
- Crans-Montana bar not safety checked for five years
- National day of mourning for Crans-Montana fire victims
- Co-owners of Crans-Montana bar detained
The two co-owners of Le Constallation, French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, have been accused of:
- Manslaughter by negligence
- Bodily harm by negligence
- Arson by negligence
Jacques Moretti is being held in custody for an initial period of 90 days.
His wife has had to surrender her passport and report to police every day.
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