Several hundred kilograms of explosives were accidentally detonated in Zurich, Switzerland. The large explosion left two people injured and a number of buildings badly damaged.
“Two people suffered minor injuries and several buildings were damaged on Wednesday when an attempt to dispose of several hundred kilograms of explosives accidentally triggered a large explosion,” Swiss police said, reported by AFP, Thursday (26/2/2026).
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The explosion occurred at a rural facility used to handle explosives and for fire safety training, about 15 kilometers west of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, in the municipality of Illnau-Effretikon.
“Shortly after 13:00 (1200 GMT), a private demolition company began dumping several hundred kilograms of explosives at the Tatsch test and training facility,” Zurich cantonal police said in a statement.
“The explosives, which should have burned, exploded. This created a crater several meters in diameter,” continued the local police statement.
Not only that, the waves from the explosion also damaged several buildings. Two injured victims have now been treated near the scene.
“The shock wave caused significant damage to several buildings and shelters at the location. Two employees of the company involved suffered minor injuries and received medical treatment at the scene,” said local police.
Police said they had received several reports of damage to buildings in areas outside the scene, but the extent of the damage could not be ascertained. Images published by Swiss media showed plumes of white smoke rising above the hilltop, visible from several kilometers away.
Another image showed an industrial building with its metal walls ripped off and another building with broken windows. Police and prosecutors are investigating the exact cause of the accident. Forensic specialists were sent to the scene to secure evidence.
The Swiss Seismological Service, based at the ETH Zurich university, said it had detected the explosion at 1307 GMT, with a magnitude of 0.4.
“A clearly audible explosion occurred in the Illnau-Effretikon area, triggering a powerful sound wave,” the city government said on its website.
“The shock wave caused damage to the building (broken glass/windows, loose tiles),” he said, adding: “There is no danger to the public.”
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