Unknown gunman wounds three in Zurich Islamic centre attack
Zurich: Police are hunting for a man who shot several people praying in an Islamic centre close to the main train station in Zurich.
Three were injured during the shooting, which took place after a man entered the Islamic centre of Eisgasse at about 5.30pm local time (3.30am AEDT on Tuesday), police said in a statement.
Police secure the area in front of the Islamic centre in Zurich.Credit:AP
The victims, men aged 30, 35 and 56, had been hospitalised and two of them had serious injuries, the police said.
The dead body of another person was found later, just a few minutes' walk from the shooting scene, police said. It's unclear if the two episodes are linked.
Special Unit Policemen secure the area in front of the Islamic centre in Zurich.Credit:AP
Police are hunting for the man whom they said was aged about 30 and wearing dark clothing and a dark wool cap.
Heavily-armed police officers, police cars and ambulances were posted outside of the Islamic centre earlier in the evening. The centre, which has been cordoned off, is in Eisgasse, between the main station and Langstrasse, one of the most popular night-life hotspots in Zurich.
The prayer centre was largely frequented by Somali immigrants, though the backgrounds of the men who were wounded was not clear. The building can be occupied by up to 80 worshippers at once, but typically was used by 10 or so people at a time.
"We never once had a problem," said Abukar Abshirow, a Somali who said he was a regular worshipper at the centre that attracted Muslims from around the world.
Police cars are parked in front of the Islamic centre in Zurich.Credit:AP
"We never had anyone come and say why are you here. We never had that."
Mr Abshirow said the three victims were Somalis.
Police said they had collected evidence inside the building and could not further comment on the motive or the suspect's background.
Gun possession in Switzerland, where citizens can keep army-issue firearms after mandatory military service, is among the world's highest.
Bloomberg, Reuters