Read on bbc.comSwiss Bus Fire Investigation: Deliberate Act Ruled Out as Terrorism
Swiss authorities have determined that a fatal bus fire in the town of Kerzers, which killed at least six people and injured five, was a deliberate act but not terrorism. Officials from the Fribourg canton stated that a psychologically unstable man in his 60s is suspected of setting himself on fire aboard the vehicle. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, is under investigation as police work to identify victims and understand the full circumstances.
Swiss officials have provided critical updates on a devastating bus fire that claimed multiple lives in western Switzerland, clarifying that while the act appears deliberate, it is not being treated as terrorism. The incident, which occurred in the town of Kerzers (Chiètres) in the Fribourg canton, has shocked the local community and drawn national attention.
Investigation Details and Official Statements
According to authorities, the fire broke out on Tuesday night aboard a bus traveling through the Fribourg region. Fribourg's general prosecutor stated that evidence suggests a Swiss man in his 60s sprayed a flammable liquid on his body before igniting himself. The individual, described as "psychologically unstable," is believed to be among the deceased. Officials were quick to emphasize that "there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that this was a terrorist act," according to BBC reporting.
Timeline of the Incident
Police reconstruction indicates the suspect boarded the bus in the Düdingen municipality around 17:45 local time. Approximately 40 minutes later, as the bus approached Kerzers—located about 20km from the capital Bern—the fire erupted. Local media footage shows the vehicle completely engulfed in flames, with witnesses reporting a thick column of smoke. Cantonal police commander Philippe Allain noted that the bus doors appeared to have been open, though it remains unclear why passengers were unable to exit the burning vehicle.
Casualties and Response
The tragedy resulted in at least six fatalities and five injuries. Of those injured, three required hospital transport, with two remaining hospitalized as of Wednesday. Police confirmed the victims, who have not yet been publicly identified, were born between 1961 and 2009, indicating a broad age range among those affected. Investigators are examining the fuel-powered bus to eliminate any potential technical failure as a contributing factor.
National Reaction and Context
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed profound sorrow on social media, stating the event "shocks and saddens me that people have once again lost their lives in a serious fire in Switzerland." This incident follows another recent tragedy where forty-one people died in a Swiss ski resort fire on New Year's Eve, compounding national grief over fire-related fatalities.
The investigation continues as authorities work to formally identify all victims and complete their forensic analysis. The community of Kerzers and the broader Fribourg canton are left to mourn this sudden loss, while officials stress the isolated, non-terroristic nature of the event.
