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One person was killed and five others injured, some seriously, after shots were fired at an event attended by around 3,500 people in the Swiss town of Aarau in the early hours of Sunday, Aargau cantonal police said in a post on X.
Aarau is located around 40 kilometres west of Zurich.
The incident occurred at around 3 am during a rave. Witnesses said they initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks.
Around ten shots can be heard in a video published by the Swiss newspaper “Blick”, which was reportedly recorded near the scene.
Police are searching for the person or people responsible. “Possible motives and the exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear,” cantonal police said. Authorities have not provided further details about the suspect or suspects.
Police are currently carrying out a large-scale operation, they confirmed to the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA. Shortly after 7 am, Pascal Wenzel, a spokesperson for Aargau cantonal police, said authorities were dealing with a “special situation”.
Police have urged the public to avoid the affected area.
According to Swiss emergency news outlet BRK News, a Swiss military Super Puma helicopter has also been deployed over the wider Aarau area.
Flight data show the aircraft making several movements around the town. It is not yet clear what role the helicopter is playing in the ongoing operation.
Our journalists are currently working on this story. The article will be updated as soon as new information becomes available.