German police shot and wounded a man who threatened officers with an ax and a Molotov cocktail in Hamburg on Sunday, just hours before the city hosted a

Euro 2024 soccer match.

The incident occurred in the St. Pauli district, a bustling area known for its nightlife, as fans gathered ahead of the match between the Netherlands and Poland. Police spokesman Thilo Marxsen stated that officers opened fire after the man refused to drop his weapons, hitting him in the leg. No one else was injured.

The man is currently receiving medical treatment, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Hamburg police. The authorities have not provided additional details about his condition or the motives behind his actions.

Local reports indicate the confrontation happened around 12:30 PM on the Reeperbahn, near a fan zone set up for Dutch supporters. Videos and photos shared on social media depicted a chaotic scene, with a cordoned-off area and a smashed bottle circled with spray paint.

Police have been on high alert throughout the Euro 2024 tournament, which started on Friday and will continue until July 14, due to concerns about fan violence and potential terrorist attacks.

This incident follows a separate one on Friday in eastern Germany, where police fatally shot an Afghan man who had attacked and killed a compatriot and then wounded three people watching a game between Germany and Scotland. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind that attack. Photo by mpd01605 from Paris, France, Wikimedia commons.