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BASEL

Basel killings: police rule out terrorism

The killing of two people in a Basel cafe on Thursday night was not terrorism-related, police have said.

Basel killings: police rule out terrorism
Photo: Sebastien Bozon/AFP
On Friday morning the public prosecutor released a description of the two perpetrators. The pair are described as between 30 and 40 years old, with black hair and about 175cms tall. They are thought to be of Eastern European origin.
 
They both wore dark clothes, one of them a brown or black leather jacket.
 
The men have been on the run since shooting two people dead and injuring a third at Cafe 56 in the Kleinbasel area at around 8.15pm on Thursday night. They then fled towards Badischer train station. 
 
Basel public prosecutor said it “assumes that the perpetrators have targeted the cafe”. 
 
Their motive has not been established but terrorism has been ruled out, said the statement. 
 
Spokesman Peter Gill told the media investigators suspected the gunmen had specifically chosen the cafe. 
 
“It is not a terrorist attack,” he said.
 
Police also released details of the victims. Two men aged 28 and 39, both Albanian, were killed. A 24-year-old, also Albanian, was seriously injured but his life is now out of danger.
 
Witnesses are asked to contact the police with any information on 061 267 71 11.