German police shoot man armed with axe and Molotov cocktail before Euro 2024 match

Incident in Hamburg occurs as Netherlands fans gather for team's Group D clash with Poland

Police guard an area of Hamburg after an armed man was shot by officers. Reuters

German police shot a man who threatened officers with a pickaxe and a Molotov cocktail during a Euro 2024 fan parade in Hamburg on Sunday, hours before the city hosted its first match of the tournament.

The German city's police force said officers were threatened by the individual and, after he refused to drop the incendiary device, he was shot in his leg.

German media published images of a person lying in the street surrounded by paramedics and police. The attacker is receiving treatment, police said on X.

The incident took place near a fan park where Netherlands supporters were gathered before their national football team's game against Poland, however, police could not say whether the fans were being targeted.

A statement from Hamburg police said: "According to current findings, a man came out of a locality around 12.30pm and threatened police forces with a pickaxe/axelike object. He was asked by them to drop this item.

"He also threatened the police officers with a Molotov cocktail in his hand, which he did not drop despite being asked and continued to walk towards the officers.

"The police then used their service weapon and shot him in the leg. This prevented further attacks and no emergency services or other bystanders were injured.

"The police officers immediately provided first aid, which was continued a short time later by medical personnel. The man is currently receiving further care in a hospital."

Fan marches are scheduled to take place before matches at the tournament. A parade for Dutch supporters was held at 12.30pm local time, about the time of the shooting.

Images posted on social media earlier showed thousands of Dutch supporters in the city enjoying the build-up to the Group D match, which is scheduled to kick off at 2pm local time.

"A football connection cannot currently be determined, nor are there currently any insights into other motivations," Hamburg police said.

German authorities have put police on high alert during the tournament, which began on Friday and is to run until July 14, owing to terrorist attack fears.

Police from across Europe have convened in Germany to bolster its defences against threats to the tournament from groups including ISIS.

On Friday, German police shot and killed an Afghan man after he fatally attacked a compatriot and injured three people watching the host nation's victory over Scotland on TV. Police said on Sunday that the motive for the attack was still unclear.

Germany expects 2.7 million people to attend matches in stadiums across the country and about 12 million are to gather in its fan zones, including at an area in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.