Several people were injured on Thursday afternoon after a car drove into the outdoor area of a café in the Swiss town of Einsiedeln.
The crash happened shortly after 2:15 p.m. on Hauptstrasse, close to Einsiedeln's historic Klosterplatz, according to local Swiss media.
Multiple ambulances and other emergency services were dispatched to the scene following reports that people had been struck by the vehicle.
Car entered café seating area
The incident occurred outside Gasthaus Bären, a popular establishment located close to the monastery square.
Local reports said the vehicle entered the restaurant seating area, hitting people and outdoor furniture.
Images from the scene showed emergency vehicles surrounding the area as police and medical teams responded.
Bote der Urschweiz reported that several ambulances from Einsiedeln and Lachen were sent to Hauptstrasse after the alarm was raised.
Witness describes chaotic scenes
Witness accounts reported by Swiss media described a sudden and frightening incident.
According to reports circulating after the crash, people were thrown onto or over the hood of the vehicle as it moved through the café area.
Emergency crews quickly secured the location and began treating those who had been injured.
The precise number of injured people and the severity of their injuries had not been fully confirmed in the initial reports.
Major emergency response
The location of the accident is in the center of Einsiedeln and only a short distance from the town's famous Benedictine monastery.
The area attracts both local residents and visitors, making it one of the busiest parts of the municipality.
A significant emergency response followed the collision, with several ambulances attending the scene.
Police secured the affected section while emergency workers assisted the injured and investigators began examining what caused the vehicle to enter the café area.
Cause of crash under investigation
Authorities had not publicly established the cause of the accident in the first reports following the incident.
There was also no confirmed information indicating that the crash was intentional.
The circumstances surrounding the driver's actions and the sequence of events leading to the collision are expected to form part of the investigation.
Until police provide further details, reports about the precise cause should be treated as preliminary.
Einsiedeln is a major Swiss visitor destination
Einsiedeln is located in the canton of Schwyz in central Switzerland and is internationally known for Einsiedeln Abbey.
The monastery and surrounding Klosterplatz attract large numbers of visitors throughout the year.
Thursday's crash happened only a short distance from that landmark, bringing a substantial emergency response into the center of the town.
Further information about the condition of those injured and the cause of the crash is expected as Swiss authorities continue their investigation.
