Two men vandalised a church in Olten, destroying parts of the interior and tearing a figure of Jesus from the cross. The incident caused shock among parishioners.
The incident was reported on 20 February 2025 and took place inside the town church in Olten, where two men caused extensive damage to the interior. According to a church representative, the individuals lit large candles, threw a wooden bench onto the altar, and destroyed a figure of Jesus, effectively tearing it from the cross. The acts were observed by a staff member, who alerted the police.
Police found the two men inside the church, where they were reportedly consuming alcohol and appeared intoxicated. A police spokesperson confirmed their condition. Church representative Jacqueline Hodel expressed concern about the incident, stating: “What goes on in the minds of people who do something like this? I find it tragic and sad - especially in a church.”
The church has reportedly experienced similar incidents in the past, and the surrounding area is described as affected by social problems.