Carnival organisers in Switzerland have been stepping up fire-fighting and safety measures following the deadly New Year's Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox In Sierre, canton Valais, it has been decided to cancel the symbolic burning of the "Winter Man" during the carnival festivities. This would have been "symbolically unfortunate one month after the [Crans-Montana] tragedy", Jérémie Zuber, chair of one of the three organising committees, told the Keystone-ATS news agency. "Sierre is like a big village. We all know people who have been affected by the tragedy [in which 40 people died and 116 were injured]," he added. "On the other hand, I think we have a mission to put a smile back on people's faces to try to get through this difficult time," said Zuber. The rest of the planned activities, such as processions and concerts, are therefore being maintained. Emergency exits The Monthey carnival, one of the biggest in ...
