A deadly bus fire in western Switzerland has triggered a major criminal investigation after at least six people were killed and several others injured in the town of Kerzers late Tuesday evening.
Authorities confirmed the blaze broke out around 18:25 local time in the center of the Fribourg canton municipality, roughly 20 kilometers from Bern, rapidly engulfing the vehicle and trapping passengers inside. Emergency crews rushed to the scene as thick smoke rose above the town center.
According to reporting by the BBC News, at least six people were pronounced dead at the scene while multiple others sustained injuries. Police said at least three victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The incident has now prompted investigators to examine whether the fire may have been intentionally started.
Investigators Probe Possible Deliberate Ignition
Police in Fribourg Canton confirmed that a criminal inquiry is underway as authorities attempt to determine the origin of the blaze.
Early witness accounts circulating in local media suggested that a person may have doused themselves in gasoline prior to the fire, potentially triggering the inferno. However, police said those claims have not yet been verified and investigators are working to establish a clear timeline of events.
Officials stressed that the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Emergency Response Amid Chaotic Scene
Video shared by local media outlets showed the bus fully engulfed in flames as emergency responders attempted to contain the fire and assist passengers.
One local resident told reporters they saw a thick column of smoke rising above the town shortly after the incident began. The intensity of the blaze complicated rescue efforts, and authorities later confirmed that one rescuer may also have been injured during the response.
The bus involved had reportedly departed from the nearby municipality of Düdingen, located approximately 17 kilometers south of Kerzers.
Community Shock as Investigation Continues
The tragedy has shaken residents of the small Swiss town as authorities work to determine whether the blaze resulted from an accident, mechanical failure, or a deliberate act.
Police have not yet released the identities of the victims and said additional information will be provided once families have been notified.
Investigators are continuing to collect evidence from the scene and review witness accounts as they attempt to determine what triggered the deadly fire.
