At least six people have died and several others were injured after a bus caught fire in the western Swiss town of Kerzers, authorities said on Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred at approximately 18:25 local time in the centre of Kerzers, known in French as Chiètres, located in the canton of Fribourg. The town lies about 20 kilometres from Switzerland’s capital, Bern.
Local police confirmed that emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene after reports that a bus had been engulfed in flames. Firefighters and medical teams worked to extinguish the blaze and assist victims.
Authorities said that at least three people were taken to hospital with injuries. There were also reports that one rescuer was hurt during the emergency response.
The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, but investigators have launched an inquiry to determine what triggered the blaze. Officials said they are examining the possibility that the fire may have been deliberately started.
Initial reports circulating in local media suggested that a person might have poured gasoline on themselves before the fire broke out. However, authorities have said they cannot confirm this information at this stage and are continuing to gather evidence.
Video footage shared by local media outlets showed a bus completely engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke rising high into the sky above the town. Witnesses described a dramatic scene as the fire rapidly spread through the vehicle.
One resident who saw the incident unfold said a large column of smoke was visible from a distance, drawing attention from people nearby. Emergency services soon cordoned off the area while firefighters battled the blaze.
According to reports, the bus had been travelling from the municipality of Düdingen, located about 17 kilometres south of Kerzers. It remains unclear how many passengers were on board at the time the fire started.
Authorities are now working to identify the victims and determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.
Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin expressed his condolences following the incident. In a message posted on social media platform X, he said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life.
“It shocks and saddens me that people have lost their lives in a serious fire in Switzerland,” Parmelin wrote.
The deadly bus fire has sent shockwaves across the country, where such fatal incidents are relatively rare. Local authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation as the investigation continues.
The tragedy also revived memories of a major fire disaster in Switzerland’s past. Forty-one people died in a devastating blaze that broke out at a Swiss ski resort during New Year’s Eve celebrations in a previous incident.
For now, investigators remain focused on determining what caused the Kerzers bus fire and whether criminal activity may have played a role. Further updates are expected as authorities continue their examination of the scene and collect witness statements.