Police report two injured Huge explosion in the Zurich Oberland - police reveal cause
A loud explosion startles the Zurich Oberland on Wednesday afternoon - shortly afterwards a dense, mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke rises into the sky between Illnau-Effretikon and Fehraltorf. Several eyewitnesses speak of an "explosion".
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- There was a loud bang near Illnau-Effretikon in the Zurich Oberland on Wednesday afternoon.
- The bang could be heard beyond the cantonal border and several buildings were damaged.
- The Zurich cantonal police cordoned off the area and later gave the all-clear as there was no danger to the population.
- According to information from blue News, the incident occurred at the "Tätsch" testing and training facility.
An incident occurred in the Zurich Oberland on Wednesday afternoon between Illnau-Effretikon and Fehraltorf. Several eyewitnesses reported a kind of "explosion". According to the Zurich cantonal police, two people were slightly injured.
The cantonal police initially confirmed to blue News that they had received corresponding reports. However, a spokesperson was unable to provide any information on the cause of the suspected explosion at this time. It was later revealed that the accident occurred during the regular destruction of "several hundred kilograms of explosives".
The police have cordoned off the area.
Image: blue News
Image: blue News
A reader sent this picture of the mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke.
Image: blue News
The cantonal police dispatched a helicopter
Image: blue News
Several objects were knocked over in a fire.
Image: blue News
Residents report damage to houses.
Image: blue News
The police have cordoned off the area.
Image: blue News
Image: blue News
A reader sent this picture of the mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke.
Image: blue News
The cantonal police dispatched a helicopter
Image: blue News
Several objects were knocked over in a fire.
Image: blue News
Residents report damage to houses.
Image: blue News
Around twenty minutes later, the all-clear was given: the cantonal police confirmed an incident following a bang in the Illnau area. "The location has been localized, there is no danger to the population," according to the latest statement. A police spokesperson told blue News: "We are aware of a bang in the Luckhausen area near Illnau ZH and that there has been damage to several buildings."
According to blue News information, an incident occurred at the "Tätsch" testing and training facility, where courses are given in connection with fires and explosions. A witness says: "Something went very wrong." The police cordoned off the area.
Bang audible beyond the cantonal border
What exactly caused the bang remained unclear at first. A reader of blue News reports that he was out walking his dog near Fehraltorf. "The bang was clearly audible. My dog was very frightened," he said. Another reader reported that the bang could even be heard in Winterthur and Zurich. A reader from Zurich writes: "All the birds were startled. Passers-by looked around in fear, but I assumed it was a sonic boom."
And even in the Thurgau village of Itaslen, which belongs to the political municipality of Bichelsee-Balterswil, "a loud bang" was audible, writes one reader. "The pressure wave was also felt in Stallikon ZH", writes one reader.
A few minutes later, sirens could be heard in the surrounding area. A police helicopter was also deployed.
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