German police have shot an axe-wielding man carrying an 'incendiary device' in Hamburg.
The incident took place on the Reeperbahn - a popular entertainment district in Hamburg's city centre.
A statement by Hamburg police read: "At St Pauli there is currently a major police operation.
"According to initial findings, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device.
"The police then used their firearms. The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment."
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The attacker had a Molotov cocktail in his backpack, which the police suspect he wanted to set off in the midst of a crowd, report German outlet Bild.
Around 12:30pm local time police struck down the axe-wielding man, who was then driven away in an ambulance.
Pepper spray was originally used, before one officer fired a warning shot to try and stop the male.
Witnesses reported hearing four loud bangs before riot police rushed into the Reeperbahn.
The Reeperbahn - located just yards away from the official Euro 2024 fan zone - was then closed off by police.
Euro 2024: Holland fans in jubilant mode in Hamburg before Poland clash
It's claimed around 200 police officers were deployed in and around the St Pauli district ahead of Sunday's festivities.
Dutch fans were marching towards the Volksparkstadion for this afternoon's Euro 2024 clash against Poland when police intervened.
It's estimated around Dutch 40,000 fans were celebrating in the city centre ahead of their Group D opener.
The incident comes after a knifeman was shot dead at a Euro 2024 party in the German city of Magdeburg on Friday evening.
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The male attacker killed one person and injured a further three following Germany's 5-1 victory over Scotland.
A spokesperson said on Saturday morning: "Firearms were used. The perpetrator died in hospital.”
Elsewhere in Germany, it was reported around 50 Italian fans were arrested ahead of Saturday's clash between the reigning champions and Albania.
It's said the mob were carrying suspected of carrying knives, paper bombs and balaclavas.
