Police shoot pickaxe-wielding attacker near Hamburg fan park

A police operation is underway in Hamburg ahead of this afternoon’s Euro 2024 game between Poland and the Netherlands after a man threatened officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device.

The incident took place in the St Pauli area of the city, close to a fan park housing thousands of football fans.

A statement from Hamburg police read: “At St Pauli 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.”

Auf #StPauli kommt es aktuell zu einem größeren Polizeieinsatz.
Nach ersten Erkenntnissen hat eine Person Polizeikräfte mit einer Spitzhacke und einem Brandsatz bedroht. Die Einsatzkräfte machten in der Folge von ihrer Schusswaffe Gebrauch. Der Angreifer wurde dabei verletzt und… pic.twitter.com/gSCVwbq2NH

— Polizei Hamburg (@PolizeiHamburg) June 16, 2024

Reports claim four shots were heard close to the Reeperbahn where around 40,000 Dutch fans were taking part in a pre-match march.

Police sealed off the area and initially used pepper spray to try to disarm the man before shooting him.

The Group D clash between the Netherlands and Poland is due to take place at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion with the game kicking off at 2pm UK time.