Woman killed, five people hurt in Swiss rave shooting

Cantonal police said a 22-year-old woman died of injuries at the scene. 

Four men and one woman, between 24 and 27 years old, were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe.

All of the victims are Swiss residents though police did not release their names in line with privacy rules.

Public shootings are rare in the Alpine country despite relatively widespread gun ownership.

Authorities were alerted around 2:30am to the shooting at Aarau, 46 kilometres west of Zurich, Police spokesperson Pascal Wenzel told Swiss public broadcaster SRF.

At the time of the incident the Aarauer Rave was taking place at the horse racing track in Aarau's Schachen district. The fire department cordoned off a large area around the site.

A major police operation was underway and locals were asked to stay away from the area. 

Officers, firefighters and ambulances were on the scene in large numbers. Police in Freiburg, in neighboring Germany, also took part in search efforts for the suspect, the German news agency dpa reported.

Swiss daily Blick reported that rave visitors initially mistook the shots for fireworks until somebody shouted "everyone down."

The newspaper wrote that the shooting took place right after the event ended. Police later took all remaining visitors to a nearby gym.

Police asked any witnesses with videos or photos to share them with investigators.

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 said.