Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Several people were injured after multiple shots were fired during an event at a horse racing track in Schachen, Aarau, Switzerland, early Sunday morning, prompting a major police operation in the area.
The Aargau cantonal police urged residents and visitors to stay away from Aarau Schachen as emergency teams responded to the incident. Authorities said several people were injured but did not immediately provide details about the number or severity of the injuries.
advertisement
In a post on X, the Aargau cantonal police said, “Aarau: Nighttime shots at event in Schachen. Several victims. Major police operation underway. Stay away from the area. More info to follow.”
The incident occurred shortly after 2.30 am local time when a large number of people were attending an event at the horse racing track. Local newspaper Blick reported that the event, called the “Aarau Rave”, was underway when the shooting took place.
GUNSHOTS HEARD BY LOCALS
A video obtained by Blick appeared to capture the sound of multiple gunshots at around 2.35 am. However, the authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.
Vanessa Rumpold, a media spokesperson for the Aargau Cantonal Police, confirmed to Blick that the incident had taken place at the horse racing track.
“It is not yet clear what exactly happened,” Rumpold said, adding that police could currently confirm only that “several shots [were] fired at a large group of people”.
An account of the incident emerged through Blick, which reported that a woman said a friend who witnessed the shooting contacted her around 4 am and described what had happened.
According to the account cited by Blick, people at the event initially mistook the loud bangs for fireworks after seeing sparks on the ceiling. The situation changed when someone shouted, “Everyone down!”, prompting those present to take cover under the DJ booth.
The woman reportedly said a friend of her companion later emerged from hiding and attempted to resuscitate a woman who was lying on the ground, but was unsuccessful.
The account also claimed that there were four alleged perpetrators, with three reportedly dead and seven people injured. These details have not been independently confirmed and have not been confirmed by police.
According to the same account, the group later moved to a nearby gymnasium, where they were being looked after by police.
AUTHORITIES INSPECTING POSSIBLE MOTIVE
Authorities have not yet released information about a possible suspect, motive or whether anyone has been detained in connection with the incident. The circumstances leading up to the shooting also remain unclear as investigators continue to assess the scene.
The scale of the emergency response indicated a significant police and rescue operation. According to Blick, the Aargau Cantonal Disaster Response Unit (KKE) was deployed, while an army Super Puma helicopter was also sent to the area.
As the operation continued, local authorities took additional precautionary measures. The swimming pool in Aarau was closed until further notice, with police asking people to avoid the Schachen area.
“Due to the ongoing major police operation, Aarau Swimming Pool will remain closed until further notice. Visitors are requested to stay away from Aarau Schachen,” police said in a post on X.
Further details about the injured, the circumstances of the shooting and the ongoing police operation are expected as authorities continue their investigation.
SWITZERLAND SHAKEN SECOND TIME IN 3 MONTHS
In May 2026, a 31-year-old Swiss man was arrested after three people were injured in a stabbing at Winterthur train station. Police said the victims, aged 28, 43 and 52, were hospitalised with stab wounds.
Authorities investigated possible links to radicalisation after the suspect was previously flagged in 2015 for distributing Islamic State propaganda. Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin described the incident as a “terrorist attack”, while witnesses reported panic as people fled the station.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
