A bus fire in western Switzerland has left at least six people dead and five injured, with police investigating the blaze as a possible deliberate act. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening in the small town of Kerzers, about 20 kilometres west of the capital Berne.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 6.25pm local time, where they found the vehicle completely engulfed in flames. Social media footage showed flames several metres high and thick black smoke rising from the bus, as passengers fled in panic.
Fribourg cantonal police sergeant Frederic Papaux confirmed the death toll and said the fire was being treated as a man-made incident, possibly deliberate. Police spokesperson Christa Bielmann added that investigators were looking into reports that a person had poured fuel on themselves, but it was too early to say whether the incident was terror-related.
The bus involved was a PostBus, a distinctive yellow service used by around half a million people daily in rural Switzerland. PostBus expressed deep sadness and said a psychological support team would be available for staff.
This is the second major multiple-casualty fire in Switzerland in less than three months, following a New Year's Day blaze at a bar in Crans-Montana that killed 41 people. Swiss President Guy Parmelin said he was shocked and saddened, offering condolences to the victims' families.
A criminal investigation has been opened by public prosecutors, and police have cordoned off the area, urging the public to stay away. Recovery and security operations are ongoing.
