Key facts
- A 22-year-old woman was killed and five others were injured in a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland.
- The incident occurred early Sunday morning at a techno party.
- Police have launched a large-scale manhunt for one or more suspects.
- German police are assisting in the search operation.
- The motives and exact circumstances of the shooting remain unclear.
A 22-year-old woman was killed and five others were injured in a shooting at a rave in the northern Swiss town of Aarau. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday at a techno party held at a covered horse racetrack. Authorities stated that all victims were Swiss residents in their 20s, with the deceased being an Italian national who died at the scene.
Police have launched a large-scale manhunt for one or more attackers, appealing to the public for visual evidence and cordoning off large areas of the town. The motives behind the attack and the exact number of perpetrators remain unclear, with police acknowledging they have no definite information. German police are assisting in the search operation, indicating the possibility that the suspect(s) may have crossed borders.
A witness described hearing shots shortly after 2:30 am, initially mistaking them for fireworks. The witness recounted that one woman, who hid behind a refrigerator, was hit in the back and died despite efforts to revive her. Rave organizers expressed their shock and heartbreak, stating that a rave should be a place of joy and love, not violence.
Switzerland has a high rate of gun ownership, but violent shootings are rare. The country approved tighter gun control rules in 2019.