Image: from Argonaut X @FapeFop90614
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies | March 11, 2026
KERZERS, SWITZERLAND — A tranquil evening in western Switzerland turned into a scene of unspeakable horror Tuesday when a regional PostBus was transformed into a rolling furnace, leaving at least six people dead and several others fighting for their lives.
The disaster occurred at approximately 6:25 p.m. in the center of Kerzers, a town in the canton of Fribourg located about 15 miles west of the capital, Bern. According to Fribourg cantonal police, the vehicle was “totally engulfed in flames” within minutes, leaving bystanders and emergency responders helpless against the heat.
🇨🇭 Switzerland: A serious bus accident occurred in the small town of Kerzers, approximately 20 km from Bern.
The fire started after a man doused himself with flammable liquid and set himself on fire inside the bus.
At least six people were killed. pic.twitter.com/6KLGiy31Hb— Argonaut (@FapeFop90614) March 11, 2026
REPORTS OF A DELIBERATE ACT
While authorities have launched a formal criminal investigation, the focus has shifted toward a potential “voluntary act” by an individual on board. Multiple eyewitness reports and videos circulating on social media suggest a passenger doused himself in gasoline before igniting the blaze.
“At this stage, we have elements suggesting a deliberate act by a person who was inside the bus,” stated police spokesperson Frédéric Papaux during a late-night press conference. Investigators are currently clarifying reports that the perpetrator intentionally set themselves on fire, though it remains unclear if the individual is among the six deceased.
CASUALTIES AND RESCUE EFFORTS
The human toll of the blaze is staggering:
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Fatalities: 6 people confirmed dead at the scene.
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Injured: 5 people were injured, including three in critical condition who were airlifted to specialized burn units.
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Rescuers: One emergency responder was among those treated for injuries sustained during the chaotic rescue attempt.
Images from the aftermath show the skeletal, charred remains of the yellow postal bus, a staple of Swiss public transport. “I saw people escaping the bus, panicked and covered in soot,” one witness told local media. “The speed of the fire was terrifying; there was no time to react.”
A NATION IN MOURNING
The tragedy in Kerzers comes as a fresh blow to a country still reeling from a devastating New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, which claimed 41 lives.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed his condolences via X (formerly Twitter), stating, “It shocks and saddens me that once again people in Switzerland have lost their lives in a serious fire. The circumstances are being investigated. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the emergency services.”
As forensic teams sift through the wreckage on Murtenstrasse, the motive behind the attack remains unknown. While police have not ruled out any possibilities, State Councillor Romain Collaud indicated Wednesday morning that there is currently no evidence suggesting a link to international terrorism.