In the lead-up to the Euro 2024 football match between Poland and Netherlands, an unexpected incident unfolded in Hamburg, Germany. On Sunday, a man was shot by police after threatening them with an axe and a Molotov cocktail near Reeperbahn station in St Pauli district.
According to various sources, including German authorities and media outlets such as Agence France-Presse (AFP), ESPN FC, BBC News, and The New York Times,
The man was identified as a 39-year-old German national. He reportedly emerged from a pub with the weapons in hand and threatened police officers who were present at the scene.
Police spokesperson Sandra Levgruen stated that there was no link between the incident and the Euro 2024 match, which took place later in the day. The suspect was shot in his leg and received medical treatment.
The Hamburg attack was not an isolated incident. On Friday evening, an Afghan man was shot dead by police after fatally attacking a compatriot with a knife-like object in Wolmirstedt, Germany.
In the same weekend, three German men were injured when the assailant attacked them while they watched the televised opening game of Euro 2024 between Germany and Scotland. The man was later shot and killed by police officers who arrived at the scene.
The motives behind these violent incidents remain unclear.
Police have increased their presence across Germany during the tournament, which began on Friday and runs until July 14, due to concerns over possible fan violence and terrorist attacks. The Euro 2024 football tournament is taking place in cities across Germany.
