Fribourg police said in a statement that public prosecutors had opened a criminal investigation “to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy”.
At least six people have died after a bus caught fire in western Switzerland, police said, adding that investigators are examining whether the blaze may have been deliberately started by someone on board. The fire broke out on Tuesday evening in the town of Kerzers, about 15 miles west of the Swiss capital, Bern.
Frederic Papaux, a spokesperson for police in the Fribourg canton, said early indications suggested the possibility of a deliberate act. “At this stage, we have elements suggesting a deliberate act by a person who was inside the bus,” Papaux told a news conference, according to Reuters.
Authorities did not provide further details on why they believe the fire could have been intentionally started.
Fribourg police said in a statement that public prosecutors had opened a criminal investigation “to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy”. Officials said they could not immediately confirm reports that a person may have doused themselves in gasoline before the fire began.
Images published by Swiss media showed flames rapidly engulfing the vehicle.
“After rushing to the scene, rescue teams noted that the vehicle was totally engulfed in flames,” the regional government said in a statement. Emergency responders, including ambulance and helicopter teams, transported three people with severe injuries to hospital. Two other people were treated at the scene, police said.
