A man attacked several people in the eastern Gerguy state of Saxony-Anhalt, including at a private party marking the opening of Euro 2024, before being shot dead by police.
Gerguy police said Saturday that the attacker first stabbed a young man in Wolmirstedt, a town of 12,000 people north of Magdeburg, who later died from his injuries.
German police said the attacker was a 27-year-old Afghan national and that his first victim was also from Afghanistan.
The attacker then entered a nearby housing estate and threatened other people with a “knife-like object”.
He entered the venue where the group was to watch the match between Germany and Scotland and allegedly stabbed the attendees at random. Three other people were injured.
The attack occurred minutes after the start of the Group A match, police said. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.
“There is no indication of an act motivated by religious motives lately,” police said.
Two of the injured, a 50-year-old man and a 75-year-old man, were seriously injured, police said. A 56-year-old man was injured.
The attacker was later shot dead through police.
Police said the man approached officers when they arrived at the scene and that “firearms were used. ” The attacker “died in hospital” from gunshot wounds, police added.
The opening night of Euro 2024 passed calmly in the country. In the run-up to the tournament, concerns were expressed about the possibility of a primary attack.
Germany beat Scotland 5-1 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, southern Germany.
Euro 2024 matches will be played in 10 stadiums, from Hamburg in northern Germany to Munich in the south, until July 14.
mm/ab (dpa, AFP)