Germany: Police shoot axe-wielding man in Hamburg ahead of Euro 2024 football match

An operation is currently ongoing in Hamburg city of Germany after a man threatened cops with an axe, media reports said.

According to reports, the man was shot and injured by the cops and currently undergoing medical treatment.

The incident occurred at a time when Dutch supporters were reportedly gathering close to a fan zone ahead of the national team’s Euro 2024 match against Poland later in the day.

Hamburg Police posted on X: “At #StPauli there is currently a major police operation. According to initial findings, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The police then used their firearms. The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.”

A Hamburg police spokesperson told the BBC the suspect was armed with a pickaxe and had tried to ignite a petrol bomb – but that officers responded with pepper spray and then shot him.

Several video footages which have gone viral showed the man wielding an axe in his hand and threatening the cops before suspected gunshots could be heard.

The identity of the person is still not known.

The motive behind the attack is still not clear.