Six dead, five hurt as Swiss bus catches fire.

A bus ignited in western Switzerland on Tuesday, killing at least six people and wounding five others, in what authorities described as possibly a deliberate act.

The blaze erupted on a bus travelling along the main street of the small town of Kerzers, roughly 20 km (12 miles) west of the Swiss capital Bern, at about 18:25 (17:25 GMT).

Footage shared on social media showed flames several metres high shooting from the windows and thick black smoke climbing into the sky.

“The fire has left at least six dead and five injured, three of them seriously,” Fribourg cantonal police sergeant Frédéric Papaux told AFP.

“The police are currently treating the incident as man‑made, and possibly intentional,” he added, without giving further details.

During a press briefing, officials declined to comment on whether the event constituted an act of terrorism.

In a statement, Fribourg police said public prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation “to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy”.

The charred remains of the bus were cordoned off behind white tarpaulins across the road, an AFP reporter observed. Officers stood guard at the taped perimeter, while firefighters and fire engines were on site.

“Emergency services arrived to find the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters carried out rescue and extinguishing operations and a security perimeter was established,” the police communiqué read.

Several ambulances and a helicopter were dispatched, and three of the injured were taken to hospital.

Two other victims were examined at the scene but required no hospital care.

Police said recovery and security work continued and urged the public to stay away from the area.