
A manhunt is underway for a gunman who reportedly opened fire at a mosque frequented by Somali immigrants in central Zurich, injuring at least three people. The suspect remains at large, police said.
Police and ambulances swarmed to the scene near the city’s rail station, blocked off a nearby road, and secured the Islamic Center on Monday.
On Twitter, the Zurich police department said: “Large operation after shooting at mosque in the Eisgasse. Several injured. Perpetrator on the run.” It said the situation was under control and the wounded had been taken to hospital.
According to Blick newspaper, a police spokesperson said three people were injured, however the severity of their injuries was unknown.
There were conflicting news reports about whether the shooting had taken place inside a prayer room itself, or outside.
Police said is unclear whether the attack had to do anything with the location.
A Zurich police official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to reporters, said the shooting occurred near the intersection of Militaerstrasse and Eisgasse streets.
Attacks by gunmen are rare in Switzerland. The country was shaken in 2013 by at least two multiple-fatality shootings.
The country has a long-standing tradition for men to keep their military rifles after completing compulsory military service — which partly explains a high rate of gun ownership in the country of about 8.2 million people.