5 hours ago
5
A bus caught fire in western Switzerland on Tuesday killing at least six people and injuring five others, in what police said may have been a deliberate act.
The fire broke out on a bus in the main street of the small town of Kerzers, about 20 km (12 miles) west of the Swiss capital Berne, at about 6.25pm (5.25pm GMT).
Videos circulating on social media showed flames several metres high bursting from the windows and black smoke rising into the sky.
The fire “left at least six dead and five injured, three of them seriously”, Fribourg cantonal police sergeant Frederic Papaux told AFP.
“The police are currently treating the fire as a man-made incident, and even a deliberate act,” he said, without providing further details.
At a press conference, police would not be drawn on whether it was an act of terrorism.
In a statement, Fribourg police said a criminal investigation had been opened by public prosecutors “to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy”.
The burnt-out shell of the bus was screened off behind white tarpaulins set up across the road, according to an AFP journalist. Police were standing guard at the tape cordoning off the scene. Firefighters and fire trucks were also present.
“Emergency services rushed to the scene and found the vehicle completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters carried out rescue and extinguishing operations. A security perimeter was set up,” the police statement said.
Several ambulances and a helicopter were sent to the scene and three injured people were taken to hospital.
Two other people were examined on site but did not need hospital treatment.
Police said recovery and security operations were ongoing and appealed to the public to stay away from the area.
