Police break up an illegal party and clear a tent camp

112 people attempted to set up a camp and hold a party near a forest in Oberägeri on Saturday morning. This triggered a massive deployment of emergency services.

On Saturday morning, the Zug Police were alerted to an illegal party in the Langenegg area of Oberägeri, near the Ratenpass, which connects the cantons of Schwyz and Zug. "The responding officers found a large number of people on site who were in the process of setting up camp around the Chlausenchappeli chapel," according to a press release from the Zug Police on Sunday.

According to the police, the individuals were setting up camp for the Whit weekend – without the permission of the landowner and without the necessary permits. The police also found several dozen tents and other equipment in the adjacent forest, according to the police statement. Officers confiscated a sound system, a generator, and other materials.

"Extensive discussions with recalcitrant individuals"
The responding officers apparently felt unable to resolve the situation on their own: "The Zug Police then intervened with a large contingent and ordered those present to leave the area." Most of the partygoers behaved peacefully and complied with the request, but not all: "A few individuals who initially resisted were also persuaded to leave the area voluntarily after lengthy discussions," the police wrote. No arrests were made.

112 people were checked at the party site, and were ordered to leave the canton. The party must have been planned well in advance, as further information from the police report suggests: the individuals checked came from various cantons in Switzerland, and even from neighbouring countries. The age range was also remarkable: some of the partygoers were still minors, only 16 years old, while the oldest person, at 62, was almost of retirement age. One partygoer was taken to the hospital by ambulance for a medical check-up.

With a large deployment of officers, the Zug Police broke up a party and dispersed 112 people in this area of Oberägeri.                 Image: Google Earth
 

The Zug Police have issued the following preliminary assessment of the operation: "Thanks to the early and decisive police intervention, major damage to the affected area was prevented. Numerous officers from the Zug Police were deployed, including special forces and specialists. They were supported by members of the Zug Volunteer Fire Brigade (FFZ) and the Oberägeri Fire Brigade, staff from the Zug Ambulance Service (Rettungsdienst Zug), the Fire Inspectorate, the Zug Cantonal Civil Defence Organisation (Zivilschutzorganisation), and the Zugerland Public Transport Authority."

It was a Techno or Goa party.
The operation is not yet complete, according to reports, with further enquiries and investigations underway regarding the organisers. Frank Kleiner, media spokesperson for the Zug law enforcement authorities (Strafverfolgungsbehörden), stated that the investigation suggests the illegal event was likely a Techno or Goa party. "It certainly wasn't a Schlager party," he added. Video footage of the party shows that campers were parked in the meadow alongside tents, and loud music can also be heard.

According to Frank Kleiner, the large, international party crowd was largely mobilised via social media. Participants arrived partly by private car, and partly by public transport.