Switzerland: At least one person has been killed and five others injured after a shooting at an overnight rave party in Aarau, northern Switzerland, police said.
The shooting took place at the racecourse where the annual Aarauer Rave was being held, with police saying several shots were fired within a large crowd. The perpetrators remain unidentified, and authorities are investigating the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to Swiss newspaper, the gunfire was reported shortly before 3am local time. Around 3,500 people attended the annual techno event. Police have launched a search operation for those responsible and appealed to members of the public to provide any photographs or video footage that could assist the investigation.
Police spokeswoman Vanessa Rumpold told that the shooting occurred while a large number of people were gathered at the venue. One witness reportedly described hearing ‘bursts of gunfire’. Large areas of Aarau have been cordoned off as investigators work at the scene. Police have also increased their presence in areas outside the town as a precautionary measure.
The incident has raised concern in a country where gun ownership is relatively widespread. Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, although shootings involving serious violence remain uncommon.
The country introduced tighter gun-control measures in 2019. Police have not yet released further details about the victims or identified any suspects. Authorities continue to investigate the shooting and search for those responsible, while further details about the victims, motive and circumstances are expected as the probe progresses.
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