Two killed and eleven injured: Explosions in Nussbaumen due to illegal fireworks

The two victims of the explosions in Nussbaumen (AG) are said to have handled unauthorized homemade pyrotechnic devices. A large quantity of fireworks had been imported illegally from abroad. A man was arrested.

The man arrested is a 33-year-old Portuguese who is believed to be one of the tenants of the premises in which the explosions occurred. He was an acquaintance of the two victims, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the canton of Aargau said on Thursday.

After the explosions, the Portuguese presented himself to the intervention forces at the scene of the tragedy. He said he was one of the tenants of the premises.

No preventive detention

In order to avoid possible destruction of evidence, the man was temporarily arrested. Preventive detention has not been ordered, the Public Prosecutor’s Office told the Keystone-ATS agency. The investigation will have to determine whether this man has a link with unauthorized pyrotechnic devices and their use.

The type of fireworks that caused the explosions must be stored properly. It requires authorization and specific technical knowledge both for importation into Switzerland and for their handling, indicates the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the canton of Aargau in a press release.

Pyrotechnics enthusiasts

The first results of the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s investigation reveal that the two men killed were pyrotechnic enthusiasts. They likely tried to make some themselves, although they were not qualified to do so, according to the release.

The unexpected combustion of the multitude of fireworks produced gas which could not spread further in the closed room. The pressure generated by the process then discharged towards the walls of the room and along the vast ceiling of the adjacent underground car park.

Two killed and eleven injured

The two men, a 43-year-old Italian and a 24-year-old Swiss, were killed in the explosions. A fire spread across several floors of the building. Eleven people were injured and around a hundred others were evacuated.

There is no indication of an offense linked to explosives, of a terrorist context or of an intentional act, underlines the Public Prosecutor’s Office. So far everything indicates that it was an accident caused by improper handling, improper storage and “unintentionally incorrect behavior with dangerous substances”.

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