Switzerland Today
Dear Swiss Abroad,
Shock and grief still run deep after the fatal PostBus fire in Kerzers on Tuesday evening. A minute’s silence has been observed and flowers have been laid at the scene of the tragedy.
But questions are also being asked – for example about adequate safety measures or escape routes from a burning bus.
Regards from Bern
The Bern cantonal police announced today that the man who set himself on fire on the PostBus had previously been in hospital in canton Bern.
Further details about the hospital were not disclosed. “The man was in hospital voluntarily due to a medical problem. It was therefore a physical and not a psychological problem,” the cantonal police clarified.
Tages Anzeiger examined the question of how the bus was able to burn so quickly. “Although a bus is covered with flame-retardant material, this would only help in the case of a small fire,” materials expert Sabyasachi Gaan explained in an interview. However, it is not only the flames that are deadly, but also the toxic smoke that passengers inhale.
The CH Media newspapers also addressed the issue of safety and escape routes on public transport. David Bürge, fire brigade commander in Aarau, refers to the “flight reflex”. This often does not occur immediately, but only when the first person reacts and a chain reaction begins among those at risk. “What’s more, people always want to get out where they came in,” which is why the emergency hammers are often not used to smash the windows – even if the exit is blocked.
It is less than three months since Switzerland experienced its last major fire disaster. Guy Parmelin, who holds the rotating Swiss presidency this year, visited Kerzers yesterday to commemorate the victims. “Once again we have to experience such a sad moment,” Parmelin said in a statement to the media on the sidelines of the event.
While American President Donald Trump declares conflict with Iran to be as good as over, the Iranian ambassador in Bern takes a different view. In an interview with Swiss public broadcaster SRF, Mahmoud Barimani also commented on Switzerland’s possible role.
It is not yet possible to say whether negotiations with the US will resume once the attacks have ended, Barimani said. If this happens, Switzerland could play a mediating role. “We would very much welcome an initiative from Switzerland and the role it would play in this,” he said in the interview.
Meanwhile, attacks in the Middle East continue on both sides. The Swiss foreign ministry announced yesterday that Switzerland had closed its embassy in Tehran because of the security risk. Foreign ministry figures also show that many Swiss travellers stranded in the Middle East have managed to leave independently. While 5,200 travellers were registered in affected countries at the beginning of March, there are now around 2,000.
At the same time, Energy Minister Albert Rösti told the CH Media newspapers that the conflict in the Middle East could pose a risk to energy supplies. According to Rösti, Switzerland is not currently on the brink of an energy crisis. However, if the conflict lasts for months and the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, “we would have to react strategically”. Switzerland is still far from discussing the opening of mandatory fuel reserves. But depending on how long the conflict lasts, Rösti said “we would have to ensure where the oil comes from and how storage facilities are filled”.
The second week of the spring session ended today, bringing an important decision on e-collecting for referendums and initiatives.
After the Senate voted in favour of a corresponding bill, parliament now wants to create a legal basis to test electronically collected signatures for initiatives and referendums. There are still differences between the two chambers on the details, which is why the House of Representatives will address the matter next.
The neutrality initiative will also return to the House of Representatives. The Senate wants to continue enshrining neutrality in the constitution and has – by a narrow margin – insisted on a counter-proposal to the initiative.
The House of Representatives also discussed domestic ammunition production today. Parliament wants to ensure this, instructing the government to enter into strategic armaments cooperation with SwissP Defence or Saltech. For Centre Party parliamentarian Nicole Barandun, one thing is certain: “Once companies have relocated their production abroad, they can no longer be brought back, which is why we need to act now.”
Since the publication of the 3.5 million pages of the Epstein Files, new links to victims in Switzerland have repeatedly made headlines.
Swiss public broadcaster RTS has identified three profiles shedding light on the blackmail and pressure exerted on young women. After analysing the files, RTS concludes: “The American government has failed in its duty to protect the identity of the victims.”
One victim in Switzerland is Lana (names have been changed by RTS), who met Epstein at the age of 19. He financed her law studies at the prestigious University of Berkeley in the United States. In return, she had to introduce him to “personal assistants” – a role that “mainly involves massages and sexual favours”, writes RTS.
Another young woman mentioned in the files refused to become part of Epstein’s scheme despite the pressure he exerted on her. The multimillionaire offered to introduce her to modelling agencies in the United States but insisted on meeting her first in his New York apartment “as a friend” to prepare the introductions. She refused, after which Epstein cancelled the introductions.
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