Chiètres, Switzerland – A deliberately set fire on a postal bus in the Swiss town of Chiètres on Tuesday evening resulted in six fatalities, including the suspected arsonist, and five injuries. The tragedy has left the local community reeling and prompted a wide-ranging investigation.
Authorities have identified all of the victims. The suspected perpetrator, a 60-year-old Swiss man from the canton of Bern, died in the blaze after reportedly setting himself on fire on the bus, according to police. The bus driver, a 63-year-old man of Portuguese origin, also perished in the fire. Among the other victims were two women, aged 25 and 39, a 29-year-old man, and a 16-year-old minor, police announced.
Whereas investigators are currently not treating the incident as an act of terrorism, the motive remains unclear. Authorities are examining the perpetrator’s background and medical records to understand the events leading up to the fire. An investigation is also underway to determine if a technical fault contributed to the difficulty passengers experienced while attempting to evacuate the bus, local reports indicate.
The incident occurred around 6:30 PM on Tuesday in Chiètres, a commune in the canton of Fribourg. Poste Suisse, the parent company of CarPostal, expressed its deep sorrow and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
“This is a terrible tragedy that occurred yesterday in Chiètres. Like me, all employees of CarPostal and the Post are shocked and deeply affected,” said Stefan Regli, CEO of CarPostal, in a statement. “On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire management team, I extend our deepest condolences to all. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
Residents of Chiètres have been struggling to reach to terms with the tragedy. “You always think that these kinds of things never happen, and then when it does happen, you are simply overwhelmed, you don’t know what to do with the emotions,” one local woman told Le Temps. Flowers and messages of condolence have been left at the scene of the fire.
The case highlights the devastating impact of such acts of violence on minor communities and underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support.
