Tragic bus blaze in Switzerland leaves six dead and multiple injured

At least six people have died and several others been injured after a postal bus caught fire in the Swiss town of Kerzers in the canton of Fribourg, local authorities have confirmed.

The blaze erupted on Tuesday evening in the centre of Kerzers after a man intentionally set himself alight, prompting a large emergency response as firefighters and police worked to bring the inferno under control. The exact number of victims and the cause of the fire are still being investigated. 

Fire engulfs bus in Kerzers town centre

The fire broke out at around 06:25 pm local time on March 10 on Murtenstrasse, a main street in Kerzers. A Postauto, part of Switzerland’s public postal bus network, was travelling towards the town when it was engulfed in flames. 

Footage and images shared by bystanders show the vehicle completely ablaze, with thick smoke and flames visible from metres away. Police cordoned off the area and asked residents to keep clear while emergency crews worked at the scene. 

According to the Cantonal Police of Fribourg, the bus was “completely consumed by fire” by the time responders arrived. 

Confirmed dead and injured

Authorities confirmed that at least six people have died in the blaze, but have not immediately release the identities of the victims. The severity of some injuries has also been reported, with several people understood to have been taken to hospital for treatment. 

The police said five people were injured, including some passengers and at least one emergency responder. They added that three of the injured were in a serious condition, and one person was airlifted to hospital by helicopter. 

A crisis hotline was established by police for relatives seeking information. Emergency services remained at the scene in Kerzers late into the night following the incident. 

🚨 A man set himself on fire aboard a bus in Kerzers, Switzerland, leaving multiple people injured.

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— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 10, 2026

Cause of fire still unclear

Although the exact cause of the blaze has not yet been officially confirmed, the cantonal police have indicated the fire may have been caused by a man deliberately setting light to himself. Officers said investigators are pursuing the possibility that the fire was intentionally started, but stressed that inquiries are ongoing and no confirmed cause has yet been published. 

However a spokesperson noted that it is still too early to draw conclusions about the origin of the fire and that all possibilities are being examined. 

Local prosecutors and forensic teams are assisting with investigations as police continue to secure the scene and collect evidence. 

Eyewitness accounts and emergency efforts

Videos shared on social media by people near the scene show the bus completely engulfed in flames and large plumes of smoke rising into the night sky. Witnesses described the rapid spread of the fire and the dramatic emergency response. 

Firefighters, police and medical teams rushed to the area in large numbers. In addition to ground ambulances, medical helicopters were deployed to transport seriously injured people to nearby hospitals. 

Police blocked off nearby streets and urged local residents to stay clear of the site to allow emergency crews to work safely. 

Local reaction and broader context

Kerzers, a quiet community in western Switzerland, was left reeling by the tragedy. The Postauto service is a lifeline for many in rural and regional areas, and the dramatic nature of the blaze has shocked residents and commuters alike. 

Public transport services in Switzerland are generally considered among the safest in Europe, and postal buses form a key part of rural connectivity, linking small towns and villages with larger transport hubs. 

Authorities are expected to release further details in the coming days as the investigation progresses. Police have reiterated that it is too early to confirm the precise cause of the fire, and warned that speculation should be avoided until more facts are known. 

What happens next

The Freiburg cantonal police and prosecutors will continue their work at the scene and in laboratories to determine the exact circumstances that led to the fire. Officials have called for patience as investigations move forward and urged anyone with information to come forward. 

For now, the focus remains on supporting the injured and informing the families of those who lost their lives, as well as providing the public with verified updates as they become available.