GENEVA: A number of people were hit by gunfire near a rave in northern Switzerland overnight, local police said Sunday.


The incident in Aarau, north of Zurich, left "multiple victims" and prompted a "large-scale" police response, officers said on X, without elaborating.


Swiss newspaper Blick reported on its website that the shots were fired before 3:00 am (0100 GMT) on the sidelines of the Aarauer Rave.


Some 3,500 people attended the annual techno party between 3:00 pm on Saturday and 2:00 am on Sunday.


Police spokeswoman 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.


One witness reported "bursts of gunfire".