In the build-up to the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D clash between Poland and Netherlands at the Volksparkstadion, the Hamburg Police shot down an axe-wielding man on Sunday, June 16. As per the city police force, the man attacked the officer with an axe in an area filled with football supporters from both Poland and the Netherlands.
As per the report from ESPN, the Reeperbahn area in Hamburg, which had thousands of Dutch fans, was cleared by the city police force before 12:30 PM CET after a man attacked their officer with an axe. It led to the riot police making their way into the area before shooting the man for orchestrating an attack.
In their initial statement, Hamburg Police revealed that the man, who is yet to be identified, had a pickaxe and incendiary device, with which he threatened their officers. After the man attacked one of the officers, he got shot down, following which medical treatment was provided to him for his injuries.
“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,” the statement from Hamburg Police read.
After the incident in the afternoon, there is a heavy presence of police in Hamburg ahead of Poland’s upcoming clash against Netherlands in Group D, set to go down at the Volksparkstadion.