Police shoot axe-wielding man near Oranje football fan march at Euro 2024

Police in Hamburg, Germany shot a man who was allegedly threatening officers with an axe and a Molotov cocktail. The incident reportedly happened while Dutch football supporters were starting to march to the first national match during the European Championships on Sunday.

Police confirmed on X that the man was shot. The Hamburg police reported that "one person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The officers then made use of their firearms."

The attacker was injured and was initially treated at the scene. The man was shot by police in the red light district in the German city.

A police spokeswoman told ANP that the attack was unrelated to the football tournament, and that the man was not targeting Oranje fans. He was shot in the leg and taken to hospital with injuries. His motive is under investigation.

The man came out of a hospitality business and gestured threateningly at police with the axe, the spokeswoman said. He also tried to light the Molotov cocktail.

"We assume that it had nothing to do with football," the spokeswoman said. The wounded man was taken to an area hospital. Police are investigating the motive behind the axe attack.

A German TV reporter was an eyewitness to the incident. He and his cameraman were taking images of fans who wanted to board the subway to the stadium. He told ANP that the man came from a kebab restaurant with an axe. "My colleague saw him and shouted "weapon, weapon", after which the police sprayed pepper spray at the attacker."

"When the man continued to walk towards the officers, they finally shot him," he said. "You have, of course, been surprised and don't know how to react. You are a bit in shock and don't know what to do," the TV reporter explained.

Videos shared on social media show police running towards the man. Several shots could also be heard. There were some shell casings scattered on the street. Police have cordoned off the side street to the Reeperbahn and are investigating.

The red light district was busy with football fans at the time of the incident. The Netherlands starts the first group match at the European Championship against Poland in the Volkspark Stadium at 3 p.m.

According to the daily newspaper Bild, the incident happened during the Dutch supporters' march through the city to the stadium.