Hamburg police shoot man with an axe ahead of Euros match

Police shot and injured a man who threatened them with an axe and a Molotov cocktail ahead of a Euro 2024 match in Hamburg on Sunday.

The police say they shot and seriously injured the man, who is in critical condition.

According to media reports, the incident took place near a fanzone for supporters of the Dutch football team.

It is not thought to be related to the game between the Netherlands and Poland, which took place in Hamburg on Sunday as part of the Euro 2024 tournament.

The incident triggered a “major operation” in the city’s St. Pauli district, police said on X.

“The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment,” they added.

Online video footage shows a man wielding an axe in front of police officers before a series of suspected gunshot sounds are audible.

The man has not been identified by the police, and the authorities have not commented on what motivations they believe were behind the incident.