Why did Hamburg police shoot man with axe ahead of Poland vs Netherlands Game?

The man is now receiving medial attention at a hospital…

A man carrying an axe was shot by police in Hamburg, just hours before Poland were supposed to play the Netherlands in the city for the UEFA Euro 2024. Official in the northern German city said he threatened the police officers with it, as well as with an “incendiary device”.

The local police also revealed that after responding with pepper spray, they shot and seriously injured the man, who is now receiving medical attention at a hospital.

A spokesperson of the Hamburg police told the BBC that the suspect was carrying a pickaxe and tried to ignite a petrol bomb. The incident took place around 10:30AM (GMT), the video of which has since surfaced online.

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In the clip, the suspect, who remains unidentified by the police, is seen charging towards a group of policemen with an axe in his hand, before tracking back. However, he is seen screaming at the police, one of whom fires pepper spray at him that causes the man to run, but he is then shot, causing him to collapse.

BBC’s report claims that the incident took place near to the Dutch fanzone, and just about five miles away from the Volksparkstadion, which was set to host the Poland-Netherlands clash today.

Hamburg’s atmosphere unaffected by the incident

As serious as the incident sounds, Hamburg’s atmosphere was unaffected by the incident, as 30,000 supporters of the Netherlands, and a similar number of Polish fans, were present in the city, and whipping up a frenzy with their energy and enthusiasm. The same was seen during the game, as both set of fans thronged the Volksparkstadion and cheered for their respective teams, ramping up the bacchanalic atmosphere.

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