At least six people have lost their lives following a devastating fire on a passenger bus in the town of Kerzers, located in the Swiss canton of Fribourg.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that according to local law enforcement agencies, the incident resulted in at least six fatalities, with preliminary investigations suggesting the fire may have been intentionally set.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at approximately 6:25 p.m. local time on a local road situated about 20 kilometers from the capital, Bern. According to witness testimonies, one of the passengers on the bus reportedly poured fuel over themselves and set it on fire, leading to the rapid spread of flames throughout the vehicle.
Fribourg police spokesperson Frederic Pappaux stated that current evidence indicates the incident was deliberately caused by an individual inside the bus. Another official representative, Christa Bielmann, emphasized that it is still too early to determine whether the incident is related to terrorism. During the tragedy, three people, including a rescuer, were hospitalized with various degrees of injuries. Other passengers managed to escape the flames, and official information regarding the identities of the deceased has not yet been released.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed his condolences on the "X" social media platform, stating he was shaken by the event: "I am shocked and saddened that people have once again lost their lives in a severe fire incident in Switzerland."
This tragedy follows another major fire in Switzerland earlier this year; in January, a fire at a bar in the Crans-Montana resort claimed the lives of 41 people. Investigations into the Kerzers incident are currently ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the arson. Switzerland, known for its high safety standards and efficient public transport network, rarely sees such violent incidents on its transit systems, making this event a significant shock to the local community and the nation at large.
