Hamburg police shoot man near Euro 2024 fan park 'threatening officers with pickaxe'

Dramatic footage has emerged showing a man shot dead near a Euro 2024 supporters' park in Hamburg, after threatening police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device.

Officers opened fire after the man refused to put down his weapon, with photos showing the suspect on the ground after being shot in the leg.

Dressed in black and carrying a backpack, he was seen shouting and bellowing at police officers in the St Pauli area. After turning his back, he was pepper sprayed before armed police jumped over barriers to pursue him, with four loud gunshots heard.

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The incident took place on the Reeperbahn, on the sidelines of a supporters' parade, known as the “Fan Walk”, which began at 12:30 p.m. local time.

That was ahead of a Group D clash between Poland and the Netherlands, which will take place 7km away at the city's Volksparkstadion as part of the month-long football tournament.

In a statement posted on social media, the city's police said: “In St Pauli, a major police operation is currently underway.

“According to initial findings, a person threatened the police with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The police then used their firearms.

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

The force added that the event in Heiligengeistfeld is subject to security checks and that it assumes that it was the action of a lone perpetrator.

A police spokesperson said there was no initial indication the incident was linked to the football match.

Images were published in German media of the man lying on the ground surrounded by police, while the area remained cordoned off.

Tens of thousands of Dutch and Polish fans are in Hamburg for today's 2pm kick-off, with large crowds descending on the popular St Pauli district on Saturday evening.

Germany is hosting the month-long Euro 2024 tournament, which kicked off on Friday evening.

It is not the first violent incident to hit the headlines, with a knifeman shot dead after killing one person and seriously injuring two others shortly after the opening match.

The attacker struck in a garden in the town of Magdeburg, where a family was hosting a private party to watch the German team's match against Scotland.

German authorities have placed police on alert during the tournament, which runs until July 14, over fears of possible fan violence and terrorist attacks.

The match between Poland and the Netherlands is the first of three matches today. Also taking place are England's opening match against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen and the Group C clash between Slovenia and Denmark in Stuttgart.

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