A man has been shot by police in an area of Hamburg full of football fans before the Euro 2024 match between Poland and the Netherlandsafter an attack on an officer with an ax, according to the city’s police force.
The Reeperbahn district, which at the time was populated by thousands of Dutch fans, was cleared by police shortly before 12:30 pm Central European Time (6:30 am Eastern Time), after an officer was attacked.
Riot police entered the area and shot the man responsible for the attack. Still It is unclear whether the attacker was a soccer fan.
Police explained the incident before Poland vs Netherlands
In a statement, Hamburg Police said: “In St Pauli, there is currently a major police operation.”
“According to the first information, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The police then used their firearms. The attacker was injured and is receiving medical treatment at this time.”
There has been a strong police presence visible in Hamburg before the match, but both groups of fans have mixed peacefully before the incident.
