One person killed, five wounded in shooting at rave in Switzerland

What the report says

At least one person was killed and five others were injured after gunfire erupted at an overnight techno rave in Aarau, northern Switzerland, according to local police cited by Al Jazeera and news agency reporting. Police said the shooting happened during the annual party, which drew about 3,500 attendees, and that the identities of the suspected shooters were not yet known.

Authorities said a manhunt was under way and that the motive and exact circumstances remained unclear. Police also appealed to the public for any photos or video of the incident. According to the report, officers cordoned off large parts of Aarau and increased their presence in areas beyond the town as a precaution.

Swiss newspaper Blick said the shots were fired shortly before 3 a.m. local time near the event site, which it described as the racecourse where the rave was held. A police spokeswoman told the paper that several shots were fired within a large crowd. The report added that one witness described bursts of gunfire.

The shooting stands out in Switzerland, where civilian gun ownership is relatively high by European standards but fatal shootings are uncommon. Al Jazeera noted that the country tightened gun rules in 2019. The incident is likely to renew attention on event security and public safety at large nightlife gatherings.