Switzerland, like Germany, has its online trade media — a flow of industry news that is sometimes illuminating, often predictable. One outlet’s response to the Crans-Montana tragedy was six lines of editorial regret. No analysis of what had gone wrong. No discussion of consequences or preventive measures. Silence.

The inference is not encouraging. An industry already fighting hard for financial survival faces new and unbudgeted demands for fire protection upgrades. If public discussion of those demands is absent, regulatory pressure is easier to criticise and harder to plan for. That serves nobody — least of all the properties that will receive enforcement notices without having had the opportunity to prepare.