At least six people died and four others were injured when a bus caught fire Tuesday evening in Chiètres, Switzerland, police reported. A fifth person, a first responder, was also injured.
The incident occurred around 6:25 p.m. On Murtenstrasse, the main street in the modest town located west of Bern, according to the Fribourg canton police department, who announced the fire on their Facebook account.
Three of the injured are in serious condition. Authorities are currently prioritizing a criminal cause for the fire, “and even a voluntary act,” police specified during a press conference.
One injured person was transported by helicopter from the Swiss Air-Rescue service, as reported by RTS.
The bus was a regional transport vehicle. This incident highlights the potential for tragedy in everyday public transportation and is likely to prompt a review of safety protocols in the region.
