Hundreds of Kilograms of Explosives Detonate in Switzerland, Two People Injured, Buildings Damaged

Several hundred kilograms of explosives accidentally detonated in Zurich, Switzerland. The large explosion caused two people to be injured and a number of buildings to be severely 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, as reported by AFP, Thursday (26/2/2026).

The explosion occurred at a rural facility used for handling explosives and for fire safety training, about 15 kilometers west of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, in the municipality of Illnau-Effretikon.

“Shortly after 1:00 p.m. (12:00 GMT), a private demolition company began disposing of several hundred kilograms of explosives at the Tatsch test and training facility,” the Zurich cantonal police said in a statement.

“The explosives, which were supposed to burn, exploded. This created a crater with a diameter of several meters,” the local police statement continued.

Not only that, the shock wave from the explosion also damaged several buildings. The 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,” local police said.

Police said they had received several reports of building damage in the area outside the scene, but the extent of the damage could not be ascertained. Images published by Swiss media showed plumes of white smoke billowing above a hilltop, visible from several kilometers away.

Other images showed an industrial building with its metal walls detached 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 ETH Zurich University, said it had detected the explosion at 1:07 p.m. (12:07 GMT), with a magnitude of 0.4.

“The clearly audible explosion occurred in the Illnau-Effretikon area, triggering a strong sound wave,” the city government said on its website.

“The shock wave caused damage to buildings (broken glass/windows, tiles falling off),” it added: “There is no danger to the public.”