Shooting at a party in Switzerland, 22-year-old Italian woman who died identified; Meloni reacts

Maria Spinelli, 22, originally from Atri, Italy, is the victim of the shooting that took place during a rave party in Aarau, Switzerland.

The young woman was attending the music event organized in the area of the Schachen racetrack when someone opened fire on the crowd. In addition to her, five other people were injured in the attack, including two Italian nationals.

The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, as the party was coming to an end and attendees were leaving. At first, some witnesses thought the noises had been caused by fireworks, but shortly afterward the venue was gripped by panic.

Authorities have received reports that an armed person fired toward the area where the crowd was gathered and then fled toward a wooded area.

Swiss police have launched a major operation to locate and arrest the suspect. The motive for the attack has not yet been determined, while investigators are also examining the possibility that it was an act with terrorist motives, without having reached an official conclusion so far.

The death of Maria Spinelli has prompted reactions in Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her condolences to the 22-year-old’s family and expressed her solidarity with everyone affected by the incident.

The Italian Foreign Ministry is monitoring the situation through its Crisis Unit, the embassy in Bern and the consulate general in Basel, while also providing assistance to the victim’s family.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has also spoken with his Swiss counterpart, Ignazio Cassis. The latter assured him that the Swiss authorities would cooperate in clarifying the incident and identifying the perpetrator.

The investigation is ongoing, while police have asked anyone with photographs or videos from the moment of the shooting to hand them over to the authorities.