Hamburg police have fired shots at an axe-wielding man in an area packed with thousands of Euro 2024 fans on Sunday.

Police said officers were being threatened by the man, who was also carrying a firebomb.

The man was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment, according to a post on X.

There is currently a major police operation in the popular St Pauli district of central Hamburg, which is one of the two nightlife hubs in the northern German city.

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Police said they don’t believe the incident is Euro 2024-related.

Images from the scene shows a heavy police presence in the area, which has now been cordoned off.

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According to media reports the attack took place at about 12.30pm local time on the Reeperbahn, a main street in St Pauli.

It comes as Poland is set to take on the Netherlands in a Euro 2024 match at the Volksparkstadion at 2pm BST.

German authorities have put police on high alert during the tournament, which began on Friday and runs until 14 July, for fear of possible fan violence and terrorist attacks.

On Friday, police shot an Afghan man dead after he fatally attacked a compatriot and later injured three people watching the televised game between Germany and Scotland in a town in eastern Germany.

Police said on Sunday that the motive for that attack is still unclear.

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