A regional bus carrying passengers erupted in flames in western Switzerland on Tuesday evening, resulting in at least six fatalities and leaving five people injured, three of them seriously. Authorities are now investigating the possibility that the fire was started deliberately.
Catastrophe on the Main Street
The incident occurred around 6:25 p.m. on March 10, 2026, on Murtenstrasse, the main street of the small town of Kerzers in the canton of Fribourg. According to the Fribourg cantonal police, the bus was “totally engulfed in flames” by the time emergency services arrived on the scene.
Videos shared on social media showed flames several meters high shooting from the center of the vehicle. The bus was a regional transport coach with passengers on board at the time of the fire.
Police Focus on “Human Cause”
In a statement that shifted the investigation, police said they are focusing on a human cause for the blaze. “At this time, the police favor a human cause for the origin of the fire, and even a voluntary act,” said cantonal police adjutant Frédéric Papaux in an update to AFP, though he could not provide further details.
The public prosecutor’s office has immediately opened an investigation. To aid the inquiry, police have established a dedicated hotline for witnesses to the incident and have urged the public to avoid the area and follow instructions from emergency crews.
Ongoing Investigation
The deadly event has shocked the community in Kerzers, located west of the capital, Bern. The focus is now on determining the precise circumstances that led to the tragedy. The police investigation into the potential deliberate act continues as authorities work to piece together the events of Tuesday evening.
