A devastating bus fire in the town of Kerzers, located about 15 miles west of Bern, the capital of Switzerland, has claimed the lives of at least six people. Three others have been hospitalized with severe injuries, according to police reports released Tuesday.
Frederic Papaux, a police spokesperson for the Fribourg canton, said the inferno broke out Tuesday evening. “At this stage, we have elements suggesting a deliberate act by a person who was inside the bus,” Papaux stated during a news conference, as reported by Reuters. However, authorities have not provided further details on why they believe the fire was deliberately set.
Fribourg police confirmed that a criminal investigation has been launched by public prosecutors to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Authorities have also not been able to immediately verify reports suggesting that an individual may have doused themselves with gasoline, according to the BBC, a CBS News partner.
The regional transport bus involved in the fire is operated by PostBus, which is affiliated with Switzerland’s national postal service. Swiss media outlets shared images of the bus engulfed in flames at the scene.
“After rushing to the scene, rescue teams noted that the vehicle was totally engulfed in flames,” said the regional government in an official statement. Ambulance and helicopter teams transported the three individuals with severe injuries to hospitals, while two others received treatment on site, police added.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full details behind this tragic event.
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