A man allegedly tried to attack police officers with an ax and firebombs in Hamburg's St. Pauli district. The incident took place before the Euro Cup match between Netherlands and Poland. The man was injured in the warning shot fired by the police.

German police said they were forced to shoot the man on Sunday. Police in the northern German city of Hamburg shot the man as he tried to attack pedestrians with an ax, authorities said.

The incident occurred in the downtown St. Pauli district. Here, 40,000 Dutch fans were holding a rally before the Netherlands' match against Poland.

German newspaper Bild reported that the accused had joined the crowd of soccer fans and attacked soccer fans and officials with an ax.

According to the country's police, the accused came out of the bar with an ax in his hand. The man was pointing the ax at the officers in a threatening tone. 

A police spokesman told DPA news agency that the man has not yet been linked to football.

Police said the accused was also most likely in possession of a Molotov cocktail, which could be used to start the fire. According to multiple media reports, police used pepper spray against the assailant before using any firearms.

Local media reported that a police officer fired a warning shot at the man's leg, causing the man to fall to the ground with injuries.

Police said on X platform that the injured accused is undergoing treatment. Security has already been beefed up due to Sunday's football match. Hundreds of federal police and local police have been deployed in Hamburg.