A tragic bus fire in Kerzers, Fribourg, Switzerland, claimed the lives of six individuals, including Lara Baumgartner, a 26-year-old radio DJ. The incident left five others injured, with flames reaching high and a thick plume of smoke visible for miles.
Local authorities are investigating the situation amid reports of a man setting himself on fire. Lara’s employer, Radio Energy, expressed profound sadness over her untimely death, describing her as a remarkable individual and colleague. Colleagues remembered her for her warmth, humor, and kind-hearted nature which touched many lives.
Among the deceased were a 16-year-old boy, a 63-year-old Portuguese bus driver, a 29-year-old man, and two women aged 25 and 29—all Swiss nationals from the area. The suspected perpetrator, a 65-year-old Swiss resident from Bern, was also among the casualties, reported missing before the fire started.
Injuries were sustained by two Swiss men aged 34 and 61, two Swiss women aged 27 and 56, and a 32-year-old man from Kosovo. Authorities revealed that three of the injured individuals were hospitalized, while the remaining two received on-site treatment.
Law enforcement disclosed that the fire was likely an act of arson, with reports indicating a person had doused themselves with gasoline. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
