Zurich police explain response to attacks at Hardplatz
Monday 12th October 2026 on 17:45 in
Switzerland
Zurich police say they initially allowed an unauthorised party at Hardplatz to continue before intervening after reports of property damage and harassment. The account was reported by Swiss broadcaster SRF as investigations into the violence continue.
Police received a report of the party shortly after 11pm on Saturday. They intervened after vehicles were damaged, building facades were spray-painted, firecrackers were set off and residents were harassed. More than 100 people, some of them masked, were at the event.
As officers tried to break up the party, they were pelted with paving stones and glass bottles, then targeted with fireworks, according to police. Police believe the rockets may have been placed at the location before the violence began, a possibility investigators are examining.
Officers used irritant spray, water cannons and rubber bullets to regain control. One police officer was injured. Several police vehicles were damaged, rubbish containers were set alight, and vehicles and buildings were damaged. No arrests have been made.
The city police said an initial assessment found no reason to disperse the party using police measures. They intervened after more reports came in of harassment, fireworks and property damage, saying they had to act proportionately.
Police said restoring order and protecting officers took priority at the scene. Making arrests there would have required more officers, and a large-scale deployment could not be organised within minutes. The investigation is continuing.
Zurich security chief Karin Rykart told SRF she was shocked by the events. She said those involved had knowingly risked seriously injuring police officers. Rykart also said she regularly requests additional city police positions in the city council, but only some are approved. She declined to comment on her own party’s record of not fully backing those requests.
Rubbish containers burned during the violence blocked the Hard underpass and nearby access roads. A UBS branch was also damaged.