Authorities in Germany have confirmed that a man who menaced police officers with an axe and a fire-starting device in Hamburg’s Reeperbahn district has been shot, and now is under medical care.
Supporters from the Netherlands and Poland are assembling in large quantities in the city, in anticipation of their inaugural European Championships fixture at the Volksparkstadion.
The disruption transpired near Silbersackstrasse, which is within walking distance to the area where Dutch supporters have congregated. The police initially employed pepper spray to control the aggressor, followed by a firearm. The police have reported that an armed officer let off a cautionary shot, then multiple shots were let loose until the man toppled to the ground, severely wounded.
A statement on X from Hamburg Police read: “At present, there’s an extensive police operation in #StPauli. Preliminary enquiries reveal a person threatened police officers with an axe and a pyrotechnic device. The officers subsequently deployed their firearms. The perpetrator was injured and now is receiving medical attention.”
The game commences at 3pm local time.