Zurich police cleared an illegal party at Hardplatz in the early hours of Sunday after reports of property damage, firecrackers and harassment of residents. The operation escalated when officers came under attack from fireworks, bottles and stones, according to the city police.
The Stadtpolizei Zürich said it was alerted shortly after 11 pm to a party in the underpass and on Hardplatz. Officers initially tolerated the gathering, but moved to break it up after receiving reports of damaged building facades and vehicles, firecrackers and harassment of local residents.
Police said more than 100 people were present at the time, some of them masked. The underpass had also been barricaded.
It must be assumed that the group had deliberately stockpiled rockets beforehand. Only thanks to their protective gear were the officers able to avoid serious injuries.
Officers gave the crowd several warnings to leave within ten minutes. During that period, police said they were hit with glass bottles and paving stones, forcing them to withdraw temporarily.
A separate group then targeted officers with fireworks rockets, some of which detonated at head height. Police said they believe rocket stockpiles had been prepared in advance. Protective equipment prevented serious injuries.
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Hardplatz Party: Police Response And Damage
After the initial withdrawal, police deployed irritant spray, water cannons and rubber bullets to regain control. They said they came under renewed attack with stones, bottles and rockets as they advanced.
Over the course of the night, streets were barricaded and around two dozen containers were set on fire. Schutz & Rettung Zürich responded to extinguish the blazes.
Police said they brought the situation under control at about 3am. One officer was injured. Several police vehicles were badly damaged, with some written off entirely. The total cost of the damage is still being assessed.
What We Know, And What We Don’t
The account comes from Zurich city police and is based on their operational assessment. No arrests, charges, or names of those involved have been reported. The number of people injured among partygoers, if any, is also not stated.
The police have not said who organised the party, how many people were detained, or whether an investigation into the use of fireworks and property damage has been opened.
Hardplatz sits in a densely populated part of Zurich’s District 4, close to residential buildings and busy nightlife areas. An unauthorised gathering of this scale, combined with fireworks and barricades, poses a direct risk to residents, emergency services and property.
