Switzerland chainsaw attack: Police hunt Schaffhausen attacker

 Central parts of Schaffhausen have been sealed off by police

Central parts of Schaffhausen have been sealed off by police

Police are hunting for a man who attacked five people with a chainsaw in the Swiss town of Schaffhausen.

Franz Wrousis is alleged to have launched his assault at a health insurance office shortly after 10:30 local time (08:30 GMT).

Police said they believed Mr Wrousis, who is thought to live in the woods, is still armed with a chainsaw.

They warn the 51-year-old is highly dangerous, and is likely to react aggressively if forced into a corner.

Anyone who spots the 6.2ft (1.9m) tall Mr Wrousis is asked to call the police immediately.

More than 100 officers from both Switzerland and Germany are currently involved in the search, with central parts of the border town closed off in the immediate aftermath.

Mr Wrousis, who has two previous convictions for weapons offenses. is reported to have entered office buildings in Schaffhausen on Monday morning.

He then allegedly attacked a number of people working in the local branch of health insurance company CSS, according to local news site Swissinfo.

At least one person was left with serious injuries as a result of the attack, but is now out of danger.

On Monday afternoon, police said the vehicle he was believed to be driving – a white Volkswagen – had been found, but Mr Wrousis remained at large.

People living near the woods just outside the city confirmed to Switzerland’s 20 Minuten (in German) that Mr Wrousis had been living in the area for at least a couple of weeks.

One resident told the news site they had reported him to police on two occasions after he allegedly verbally attacked them.

Schaffhausen is the capital of the Swiss canton with the same name.

About 36,000 people live in the historic town.

BBC

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