Six Dead, Five Injured in Intentional Bus Fire in Kerzers, Switzerland
On Tuesday evening, a bus fire in Kerzers, Switzerland, resulted in the deaths of six people and injuries to five others. Authorities are conducting a criminal investigation, with initial findings suggesting the fire was intentionally started by a passenger.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred around 6:25 p.m. on the main street of Kerzers, a town situated approximately 20 to 25 kilometers west of Bern in the Fribourg canton. The involved vehicle was a regional transport bus operated by PostBus, an affiliate of the national postal service.
Six individuals were confirmed deceased, and five others sustained injuries. Three of the injured were transported to hospitals due to their severe condition, while two others, including a paramedic, received treatment at the scene. Authorities have stated that the identification of the deceased is expected to take several days.
Investigation Details
Fribourg canton police and the regional attorney general are leading the criminal investigation into the cause of the fire. Early evidence indicated an "unspecified voluntary act" or a "deliberate act" by an individual who was inside the bus.
Later information suggested that a bus passenger doused themselves with a flammable substance and ignited it.
The suspect is believed to be among the deceased. Regional Police Commander Philippe Allain stated that investigators had received information suggesting the individual had psychological problems. Regional Attorney General Raphaël Bourquin noted that police had prior knowledge of the suspect's profile in a medical context, rather than a criminal one.
Police have clarified that there are no indications of a terror attack, and no other vehicles were involved in the incident. Investigators are actively seeking additional witnesses who may have information about the moments leading up to the fire.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Emergency services, including ambulance and helicopter units, responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, the yellow PostBus was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire.
The area surrounding the incident was secured, and the public was advised to avoid the site. Videos circulating on social media reportedly showed high flames and black smoke emanating from the burning vehicle.
The burned-out bus was removed from the scene during the night, and traffic returned to normal by Wednesday morning.
Official Reactions
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed condolences to the families of the victims and extended thoughts to the injured and emergency services personnel.
PostBus, the operator of the involved vehicle, released a statement acknowledging that the incident deeply affects the organization. The company also announced that psychological support would be made available to its staff. PostBuses are a common mode of transport in rural Switzerland, serving approximately half a million people daily.