At least six people were killed and three others injured after a bus caught fire in western Switzerland on Tuesday, in what authorities say may have been a deliberate act.
The blaze occurred on a road in Kerzers, located about 20 kilometres from the Swiss capital Bern. According to local police, the bus was quickly engulfed in flames, causing panic among passengers attempting to escape.
Fribourg police spokesperson Frédéric Papaux said early evidence suggests the fire may have been intentionally started by someone on board the bus. Investigators are examining reports that an individual poured fuel on themselves before setting themselves on fire.
Another police spokesperson, Christa Bielmann, said authorities were still gathering information and it was too early to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. Officials added there is currently no indication that the event was related to terrorism.
Three injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment, while two others received medical attention at the scene but did not require hospitalization.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as passengers fled the burning vehicle. Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes reported that a video taken at the scene showed an injured person saying that a man had poured gasoline over himself and ignited it.
Images taken after firefighters extinguished the blaze showed the charred remains of the yellow public bus, commonly known as a Postauto.
Authorities said identifying the six victims could take several days, and it remains unclear whether the person suspected of starting the fire is among those who died.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said the tragedy is under investigation.
The incident comes only months after another deadly fire in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana earlier this year, which killed 41 people and injured more than 100.
Officials say investigations into the Kerzers bus fire are ongoing as authorities work to determine the cause and circumstances behind the tragedy.