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Manhunt after shooting at Swiss rave kills woman, 22, and injures five

Manhunt after shooting at Swiss rave kills woman, 22, and injures five

A manhunt is under way after a 22-year-old woman was killed and five others injured in a shooting at a rave in Switzerland.

A manhunt is under way after a 22-year-old woman was killed and five others injured in a shooting at a rave in Switzerland.

The woman died at the scene in Aarau, police said. Four men and a woman, aged between 24 and 27, were in hospital with injuries "ranging from minor to severe".

The woman died at the scene in Aarau, police said. Four men and a woman, aged between 24 and 27, were in hospital with injuries "ranging from minor to severe".

Sources have confirmed to BBC News that the victim was an Italian national. The Italian Embassy in Bern and the Consulate in Zurich were monitoring the situation, they added.

Sources have confirmed to BBC News that the victim was an Italian national. The Italian Embassy in Bern and the Consulate in Zurich were monitoring the situation, they added.

At a news conference on Sunday afternoon, police spokesman Bernhard Graser reiterated the force had "no information about the perpetrator(s) or their motive". They were not believed to be in Aarau anymore, he added.

At a news conference on Sunday afternoon, police spokesman Bernhard Graser reiterated the force had "no information about the perpetrator(s) or their motive". They were not believed to be in Aarau anymore, he added.

Organisers and performers said the shooting happened at a techno rave being held at a horse racing track in the town, which is located some 46km (29 miles) west of Zurich.

Organisers and performers said the shooting happened at a techno rave being held at a horse racing track in the town, which is located some 46km (29 miles) west of Zurich.

The force said it had received an initial report of shots fired at the Schachen race track at around 02:30 local time (00:30 GMT).

The force said it had received an initial report of shots fired at the Schachen race track at around 02:30 local time (00:30 GMT).

A DJ, who was due to perform until the scheduled end of the event at 02:00, said the incident occurred "straight after our set", in a post on social media.

A DJ, who was due to perform until the scheduled end of the event at 02:00, said the incident occurred "straight after our set", in a post on social media.

Another performer, DJ Tekibo, said he had lost a friend in the incident. He wrote on Instagram that he was "still trying to process what happened".

Another performer, DJ Tekibo, said he had lost a friend in the incident. He wrote on Instagram that he was "still trying to process what happened".

Olivier Grein, whose firm Agency Events AG organised the event, said the company was "shaken" and would do all it could to support the police investigation.

Olivier Grein, whose firm Agency Events AG organised the event, said the company was "shaken" and would do all it could to support the police investigation.

An eyewitness told Blick that he "suddenly heard the gunshots" minutes after the music stopped at 02:30, initially believing they were fireworks.

An eyewitness told Blick that he "suddenly heard the gunshots" minutes after the music stopped at 02:30, initially believing they were fireworks.

He said he was told to hide by a man and a woman, the latter of whom was then shot.

He said he was told to hide by a man and a woman, the latter of whom was then shot.

Organisers had expected up to 3,500 people to attend. Police asked witnesses to submit photographs and video from the scene.

Organisers had expected up to 3,500 people to attend. Police asked witnesses to submit photographs and video from the scene.

An area around the racing track, the town's swimming pool and sports field has been cordoned off, with the public urged to stay away.

An area around the racing track, the town's swimming pool and sports field has been cordoned off, with the public urged to stay away.

A large contingent of officers has also been deployed beyond Aarau "as a precaution", Aargau Cantonal Police said.

A large contingent of officers has also been deployed beyond Aarau "as a precaution", Aargau Cantonal Police said.

An AFP journalist reported seeing armed officers deployed on the highway up to 30km from the site of the shooting.

An AFP journalist reported seeing armed officers deployed on the highway up to 30km from the site of the shooting.

Aarau, home to approximately 23,000 people, is less than 40km from the border with Germany, where local media reported police were supporting Swiss forces.

Aarau, home to approximately 23,000 people, is less than 40km from the border with Germany, where local media reported police were supporting Swiss forces.

Images from Aarau early on Sunday showed a heavy police presence in the area, with an armoured vehicle seen blocking a road. Armed police and officers in riot gear could be seen patrolling the streets.

Images from Aarau early on Sunday showed a heavy police presence in the area, with an armoured vehicle seen blocking a road. Armed police and officers in riot gear could be seen patrolling the streets.

The police said there is still "a strong force" at the crime scene as well as around town "to make sure that if any new information [gets in] we could respond".

The police said there is still "a strong force" at the crime scene as well as around town "to make sure that if any new information [gets in] we could respond".

In addition to police and fire officials, the regional disaster response unit (KKE) was deployed, according to broadcaster SRF.

In addition to police and fire officials, the regional disaster response unit (KKE) was deployed, according to broadcaster SRF.

It also reported that a Swiss Army helicopter could be seen surveying the area in the early hours.

It also reported that a Swiss Army helicopter could be seen surveying the area in the early hours.

Switzerland has one for the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, although violent shootings are rare and tighter controls were introduced in recent years.

Switzerland has one for the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, although violent shootings are rare and tighter controls were introduced in recent years.

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