Hamburg police have confirmed they shot dead a man who threatened officers with a pickaxe and an “incendiary device” near where Dutch fans were gathering ahead of a Euro 2024 match.
The incident happened in the St. Pauli district of Hamburg at around 12.30pm local time on Sunday, around 90 minutes before Poland was to play the Netherlands at the nearby Volksparkstadion.
A statement from Hamburg police said: “A large-scale police operation is currently underway in St. Pauli. Initial findings indicate that an individual threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. Police then used firearms. The assailant was injured and is currently receiving treatment.”
Around 40,000 supporters were peacefully gathered in Hamburg when the incident occurred just as Dutch fans were marching towards the stadium.
Pictures posted on social media showed thousands of Dutch supporters in the city, enjoying the excitement ahead of their Group D match against Poland.
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Superintendent Mark Roberts, head of England’s football police force, said that the police shooting in Hamburg did not involve England fans and stressed safe travel in Germany during Euro 2024.
Superintendent Mark Roberts, head of England’s Football Police force, said: Sky Sports News“There is nothing to suggest British involvement.”
“Hamburg is a little bit far from where we are, but this is a reminder that there’s a lot going on in the world that’s not necessarily related to football. People need to be aware and mindful of their surroundings.”
“The incident has nothing to do with football.”
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Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol provides details of an incident in Germany where an axe-wielding man threatened police.
Kaveh Solhekol, chief reporter for Sky Sports News in Gelsenkirchen:
“An individual dressed in black and wielding a small pickaxe was caught on video threatening a group of German police after Dutch fans marched down the Reeperbahn, one of Hamburg’s main streets.”
“Officers tried to calm him down but he appeared to be threatening so they used pepper spray and he ran away. Officers chased him and apparently shot him in the leg.”
“We are told he is receiving treatment in hospital and that German authorities do not believe the incident is football-related, despite it happening shortly after kick-off and in close proximity to where many Dutch fans had gathered.”
EURO 2024 match dates – Sunday 16 June
Group D: Poland v Netherlands (Hamburg, kick-off 2pm UK time)
Group C: Slovenia vs Denmark (Stuttgart, kick-off 5pm UK time)
Group C: Serbia v England (Gelsenkirchen, kick-off: 8pm UK time)
