One person was killed and five others were wounded, some of them seriously, in a shooting at a rave party in northern Switzerland, local police said on Sunday (August 30, 2026).
“The search for the perpetrators, whose identities are currently unknown, is under way,” they said on X, adding that the motives and exact circumstances were not yet known. The incident in Aarau, north of Zurich, prompted a “large-scale” police response.
Cantonal police in Aargau also appealed to the public for any film or pictures of the incident. Some 3,500 people attended the annual techno party between 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Vanessa Rumpold was quoted as telling the newspaper that the shooting happened at the racecourse where the event was held. “Several shots were fired within a large group of people,” she added.
Witnesses told Blick that shots were fired at about 2.30 a.m. while the rave was still going on and that many people took refuge in a nearby gymnasium. Partygoers at first thought the shots were fireworks. One told the newspaper there was a “burst of gunfire”.
A local resident in Aarau posted a video on social media showing deserted streets and what sounded like several gunshots in the background.
Media reports said an Srmy helicopter was deployed in the cantonal capital, Aargau, as well as numerous police officers, rescue workers and medical teams.
With inputs from AFP, Reuters
Published – August 30, 2026 12:03 pm IST
