Manhunt under way after deadly shooting at rave in Switzerland

A manhunt is under way after a 22-year-old woman was killed and five other people were injured in a shooting at an event in Switzerland, police say.

The attack is believed to have happened at a rave in the early hours of Sunday and some of the victims were seriously injured.

Police said "night-time shots" were reported in Schachen, in Aarau, the capital of the northern Swiss canton of Aargau, and that a major operation has been launched.

Officers urged the public to stay away from the area and said the local horse racing track, swimming pool and sports field have been cordoned off.

The "Aarau Rave VOL. 7" was taking place at the track at the time of the incident, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported.

A witness told Swiss newspaper Blick that shots were fired ‌around 2.30am local time (1.30am UK time) and that he tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate a woman who was bleeding from a gunshot wound.

A 22-year-old woman died at the scene, police said, while four men and one woman, aged between 24 and 27, were in hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe.

All victims are Swiss residents.

People at the rave initially mistook the shots for fireworks until somebody shouted "everyone down", according to Blick.

It said the shooting happened right after the event finished.

Police said the perpetrator's motives and the exact circumstances of the shooting were still unclear.

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The organisers' website ⁠advertised the event as a techno party at a covered horse racetrack, with 3,500 people expected
to attend.

The Aargau Racing Club, which runs the horse tracking track, expressed shock at the shooting.

"We extend our deepest sympathy to all those affected and their families, who are facing this difficult and trying situation," it said on its website.

"We would like to thank the emergency responders and all others involved who worked professionally and with dedication on the scene."

Swiss DJ Tekibo, who performed at the rave, wrote on Instagram that "what happened at Aarauer rave is absolutely heartbreaking".

"Techno and raves are supposed to be a place for freedom and safety, never a place where something like this happens," he added.

The town of Aarau, which has about 22,300 residents, is around 28 miles west of Zurich.

(c) Sky News 2026: Manhunt under way after deadly shooting at rave in Switzerland