An explosion rocked Illnau-Effretikon, in the Swiss canton of Zurich, on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in minor injuries to two individuals. The blast, which reverberated as far as northern Zurich – approximately fifteen kilometers away – occurred during the disposal of several hundred kilograms of explosives, according to police reports.
The Zurich cantonal police reported that the shockwave shattered windows in the Luckhausen area and the village of Illnau. Damage to roofs and glass objects has also been reported by local news outlets Blick and 20 Minuten. Authorities have requested that residents report any damage to the police.
The incident took place at a facility used for testing and training purposes, specifically for fire exercises and the handling of explosives. A significant plume of smoke was observed following the explosion. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich’s seismological service registered the event at 1:07 PM local time.
Initial reports indicate that police have given an initial all-clear, but the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, according to blue News reports.
Residents are able to report damages to the police, as the investigation continues.