German police have shot a man they say was armed with « a pickaxe and an incendiary device » on the sidelines of a parade in Hamburg, just hours before the city was set to host its first match of the monthlong 2024 European Championship.
According to a police post on X, the person threatened officers before he was shot.
In a video circulating on social media and verified by NBC News, gunshots could be heard as several police officers mobilize with firearms drawn.
The attacker was injured and is currently receiving treatment, the police said.
The incident took place in Hamburg’s St. Pauli district, where tens of thousands of fans had gathered before Sunday afternoon’s Group D match between the Netherlands and Poland, which kicked-off at 3 p.m. local time at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion as scheduled.
Another police post on X said that the park was well protected, and that they believed the man was acting alone.
Germany authorities have deemed some matches to be « high-risk, » including England’s clash with Serbia Sunday evening, highlighting a concern that 500 Serbian hooligans could be among the supporters.
Security concerns are heightened across a summer of high-profile sporting events in Europe, particularly in France as the country gears up to host the Olympics this summer, amid the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and politically-motivated attacks.
In May, a man in southern France was arrested over a plan to attack at football stadium which will be used during the Olympics.
France’s leader said Monday that the country has alternatives prepared if security threats require changing its plans for a spectacular opening ceremony to the Paris Olympics this summer.
This is developing breaking news story, and will be updated.
