On the eve of the UEFA EURO 2024 kickoff, a security scare hit the main fan zone near Berlin’s Reichstag, the German parliament building. German police had to partially evacuate the area after discovering a ‘suspicious ‘ backpack. As a result, three out of four entrances were closed off.
Unidentified backpack found in Berlin ahead of EURO 2024
Berlin’s police authority announced the situation on X (formerly Twitter). Bild newspaper, along with several on-site journalists, reported that the object was a backpack left at one of the entrances. In response, explosive detection dogs and forensic technicians were quickly dispatched to the scene. A man, believed to be the owner, was arrested.
Despite this alarming incident, the football festivities continue at Brandenburger Tor, where another fanzone is set up. Fans remain in high spirits as the European Championship is set to begin at 12.30 AM IST, with Germany facing Scotland in Munich.
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Germany tighten security for Euro 2024
Germany is preparing for an extraordinary safety force for the Euro 2024, which begins this Friday. With hundreds of thousands of fans predicted, the country is preparing its greatest police response since the federal police force was created in 1951.
Every day, around 22,000 cops will be on duty, with all holidays suspended until the tournament ends in mid-July. International police forces will also help to strengthen local law enforcement. German municipal, state, and federal police have been practicing tactics for the event at Stützerbach.
