Swiss Customs and Border Protection officers killed in gunfight - Manhunt in progress

Several Swiss Customs and Border Protection officers exchanged gunfire with a group of foreign nationals Tuesday night at the Sion Port of Entry, killing seven officers and wounding several others after the foreign nationals refused a routine search and shot their way through the border, wielding automatic weapons, riot gear, and gas grenades authorities said.

Swiss police are engaged in active pursuit of the fugitives and have set out roadblocks and traffic checks with talks of reinstating a curfew in the southern border canton of Sion.

"According to initial witness interviews, the suspects were passing through the Port of Entry from Italy into Switzerland. They refused inspection from the CBP Officers and attempted to run through the inspection area. Several CBP Officers attempted to stop the suspects. The suspects began firing guns towards the officers, shot out the surrounding lights and continued firing at the officers. The officers returned fire, apparently striking the suspects but no blood was found at the scene. Officers believe the suspects were wearing bulletproof vests." said Swiss police, who are investigating the shooting.

Sion, Switzerland — 

The gun battle erupted around 7:30 p.m. in a secondary inspection area at the Sion , Switzerland port, considered the busiest land border crossing in Europe.

According to a preliminary investigation, the alleged gunmen refused to stop for Customs and Border Protection officers as they ran through the port on foot, Swiss police homicide Lt. Magnuss Keller said in a statement released the same night.

Descriptions of the assailants have not yet been released.