Police have shot an axe-wielding man who threatened football fans attending the European Championship.

The dramatic incident took place on the Reeperbahn in Hamburg, a popular entertainment district in the centre of the city, during a protest march by supporters of the Netherlands ahead of their Euro 2024 opener against Poland at the Volksparkstadion on Sunday.

Around 40,000 Dutch fans were taking part in a peaceful demonstration when a man clad in black brandishing a gold-coloured axe and an incendiary device began to attack fans and officials, German newspaper Bild reported.

Footage of the showdown with police emerged on social media showing the man being doused in pepper spray before being chased down a street as passers-by scampered to safety.

According to eyewitness accounts, four loud bangs were heard and then scores of riot police moved in.

Bild reported that the incendiary device brandished by the attacker was a “Molotov cocktail”.

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.”

Police added that the match between Poland and the Netherlands was “subject to various security checks and is well protected” and “we are currently assuming an individual perpetrator”.

The drama unfolded around 12.30pm local time on Silbersackstrasse near a fan zone where thousands of Netherlands fans were congregating.

It was the first major security incident of Euro 2024 and came after the president of Uefa admitted in an interview with Telegraph Sport in January that keeping fans safe was his “biggest concern”.

“My fear is not only the stadiums,” he added. “Because, stadiums, I’m sure, will be protected properly. But fans will be all around cities and towns.

“Let’s be optimistic. I still think everything will be fine with support from German authorities, who are very determined to help us.”

The incident also came days after police foiled an alleged terror plot targeting spectators attending football matches at this summer’s Olympics.

A teenager who wanted “to die and become a martyr” was arrested on suspicion of targeting the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in St Etienne, which will hold football matches at the Games.

Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of the Interior, said that he wanted to “congratulate the intelligence services which once again demonstrate their full mobilisation and their effectiveness in the fight against terrorism and the protection of our country”.

He also said that it was “the first foiled attack against the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 50th attack foiled by our intelligence services since 2017”.

The suspect wanted to attack the Olympic events “to die and become a martyr”, Darmanin’s statement added.