Swiss police say the bus fire that killed 6 people was intentional

Geneva — Police are investigating whether a bus fire in a town west of the Swiss capital that killed at least six people was deliberately started.

Frederik Papax, a police spokesman for the Friborg canton or region, said an unspecified “spontaneous act” may have started the fire in the town of Kerzers, 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Bern, on Tuesday evening.

Five people were injured in a New Year’s Eve blaze at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana that killed 41 young people, echoing locals.

Christa Bielmann, representing Friborg police, told Swiss broadcaster SRF: “Information is circulating that a person poured flammable liquid on themselves in the bus and caused the fire. But this is part of an ongoing investigation and is being clarified.”

“It shocks and saddens me that once again people have lost their lives in a serious fire in Switzerland,” Swiss President Guy Parmelin wrote on Tuesday night at X. “The circumstances are being investigated. My condolences to the families of those killed in Kerzers. And my thoughts are with the injured and the rescue workers.”

Marshall Pugin, head of communications for the Friborg cantonal police, told broadcaster RTS on Wednesday morning that there were no indications that it was a terrorist attack.

The regional transport bus is operated by Postbus, which is affiliated with the National Postal Service. Images of the scene in Swiss media showed flames tearing through the bus.

“We are deeply moved by this tragic news. Our thoughts are with the victims, the injured and all their families,” Postbus said in a statement on its website.

“After rushing to the scene, rescue teams found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames,” the regional government said in a statement.

Ambulance and helicopter teams rushed three seriously injured people to hospitals, while two others were treated on the spot, police said.

At least six people were killed, Papax said. Police said it may take several days to identify the victim.

The charred vehicle was removed during the night and traffic returned to normal on Wednesday morning.