German police opened fire on a person wielding a pickaxe and an incendiary device during a Euro 2024 soccer fan parade in central Hamburg on Sunday, according to a statement on social media platform X by the police.
The incident took place in the St Pauli district of the city as preparations were underway for a match between Poland and the Netherlands at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion, scheduled for 3 p.m. (1300 GMT).
Following the confrontation, a significant police operation was initiated, and the individual involved is currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries, as reported in the police statement. Fan marches and parades are customary ahead of tournament matches, with a parade for Dutch supporters occurring around 12:30 p.m. (1030 GMT), coinciding with the incident.
Germany is the host nation for the month-long Euro 2024 tournament, which commenced on Friday night.