Prague authorities will begin a wide-ranging round of fire safety inspections in nightlife venues this week, following a fatal blaze that broke out during New Year’s celebrations at a club in Switzerland.

The checks will focus on places that attract large crowds after dark, including clubs, bars, music venues, discos and wine bars.

Officials say the move is meant to prevent a similar tragedy in the Czech Republic. Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar said the inspections are a direct response to the Swiss incident and aim to ensure that safety rules are not only written on paper but followed in daily practice.

“This is about prevention,” he said, adding that the goal is to make sure people can go out knowing basic safety standards are being met.

The minister has tasked Fire and Rescue Service Director General Vladimír Vlček with overseeing the campaign. Over the coming months, fire officers will check whether venues are properly equipped with essential safety features such as fire extinguishers, clear escape routes and functioning alarm systems.

Inspectors will also review whether staff are trained to respond in case of an emergency.

The inspection programme is set to run from January 12 through August 31 and will cover hundreds of establishments across the capital. Authorities stress that this is not a one-off action but an extension of routine oversight that already exists.

“Fire safety inspections are a standard part of our work and take place on a regular basis,” said Ivana Nguyenová from the communications department of the Interior Ministry. She noted that past checks have uncovered shortcomings in some venues, underlining the need for consistent supervision rather than relying on rules alone.

While no specific sanctions have yet been announced, officials say businesses found in breach of safety regulations will be required to fix problems without delay. In serious cases, penalties or temporary closures may follow.

On 1 January 2026, during New Year celebrations, a fire broke out at Le Constellation bar in the ski-resort town of Crans-Montana, Valais, Switzerland.

Forty people died in the fire, and 116 others were injured, with 83 being treated for severe burns

Swiss authorities consider it likely that the ceiling caught fire after lit sparklers attached to champagne bottles were held aloft in celebration. A criminal investigation was opened against the bar’s owners.

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