Six Killed in Switzerland Bus Fire

At least six people have died and several others injured after a bus caught fire in western Switzerland, authorities say.

The incident occurred around 18:25 local time (19:25 GMT) on Tuesday in the centre of Kerzers known in French as Chiètres in Fribourg canton, roughly 20 km (12 miles) from Bern.

Police reported that at least three victims were taken to hospital, and a rescuer was also reportedly injured.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, though investigators are examining whether it may have been deliberately set. There have been unverified reports that someone may have doused themselves in gasoline, but authorities have not confirmed this.

Local media videos show the bus engulfed in flames, and residents described seeing a thick column of smoke rising from the scene.
The bus was reportedly travelling from the Düdingen municipality, about 17 km south of Kerzers.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed his sorrow on X, saying the tragedy “shocks and saddens me that people have lost their lives in a serious fire in Switzerland.”
The incident comes amid memories of a deadly fire at a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Eve, which claimed 41 lives.