Police in western Switzerland are investigating the deaths of six people killed in a fire that gutted a bus in the town of Kerzers, near Bern. Photo courtesy Fribourg Cantonal Police/EPA
March 11 (UPI) — At least six people were confirmed killed and several were injured after a fire tore through a bus in a town in western Switzerland.
At least three people were taken to a hospital after the incident, which took place at around 6.25 p.m. on Tuesday in Kerzers, around 12 miles west of Bern, police said.
An investigation into the cause was underway, including looking into reports the blaze was started by a passenger dousing himself in gasoline and setting himself on fire, although police and authorities in the canton of Fribourg said they did not believe it was an attack or terrorism.
“At the moment, no element highlights” a terrorist act, Fribourg Police communications head Martial Pugin told Swiss breakfast radio on Wednesday.
Pugin’s comments were echoed by Fribourg State Security and Justice Councillor Romain Collaud who also ruled out a technical fault with the bus, which was operated by PostBus Switzerland.
“It was a diesel bus, not an electric one. A bus catching fire like that surprises everyone. We’re still somewhat in shock. I think it’s important to reassure the public. The public is safe. The investigations and inquiries are ongoing,” Collaud said.
However, he warned that the process of identifying those killed could take several days.
PostAuto, of which PostBus is a subsidiary, said in a social media post that it was deeply saddened by the incident, saying it was a “terrible tragedy,” and vowing to do everything possible to aid in the police investigation.
“All the employees of PostAuto and the post office are shocked and affected like I am,” said CEO Stefan Regli.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire group management, I express our deep condolences to all of them. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. The Fribourg Cantonal Police, under the direction of the Fribourg prosecutor, is responsible for the investigation of the fire. PostAuto is in close contact with the authorities and is doing everything in its power to solve this terrible incident.”
Swiss President Guy Parmelin said it pained and upset him that fire had claimed the lives of yet more people in Switzerland.
“It distresses and saddens me that once again people in Switzerland have lost their lives in a severe fire. The circumstances are being investigated. To the relatives of the deceased from Kerzers, I extend my condolences. And I think of the injured and the rescue workers,” he wrote on X.
Tuesday’s incident comes less than six weeks after 41 people were killed in a blaze that broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Day at a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans Montana.
