Copenhagen shooting mars a joyful Danish Grand Départ
Copenhagen shooting mars a joyful Danish Grand Départ
Two days after a joyful Tour de France Grand Départ began in Copenhagen, the Danish capital has been shocked by a shooting at a major shopping centre that left several people dead and several injured.
Authorities rushed to Field’s shopping centre – one of the largest malls in Scandinavia, on the outskirts of Copenhagen – after receiving reports of a shooting. A 22-year-old Danish man was arrested, with Copenhagen police chief inspector Søren Thomassen saying there was no indication of more than one shooter. Terrorism could not be ruled out as a motive, he said.
Field’s shopping centre is around a kilometre from the Tour de France headquarters and media centre, which for the duration of the Tour’s stay in Copenhagen was located at the Bella Centre exhibition building.
A statement from the Tour de France organisers extended “sympathy and compassion,” saying that “The Tour is extremely shocked and saddened to hear of what has happened in Copenhagen. The people of Copenhagen had given the peloton one of the greatest welcomes in the sport’s history, forging deep bonds with all its followers.”
The Tour de France has progressed south from Copenhagen since the opening time trial, with stage three finishing in the harbour city of Sønderborg, near the German border. After the stage finish, the riders flew to France while the Tour’s many cars, buses, and caravans will drive 900 km to Calais for a rest day on Monday.
The Danish royal palace said that it had cancelled a Tour de France reception celebrating the race’s visit to Denmark. It was to be hosted by Crown Prince Frederik on the royal yacht in Sønderborg.
CyclingTips extends its condolences to all those affected by the tragedy in Copenhagen.
We are shocked and saddened by the tragic news coming from Copenhagen at the end of what has been a beautiful weekend. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) July 3, 2022
Just now looking at the footage I was filming in my hotel room. Sound on. The gunshots are terrifying. #copenhagen pic.twitter.com/x2hfSV9JVS
— Slow Guy on the Fast Ride (@Slowguyfastride) July 3, 2022
Denmark. It was a great grand depart. The first 3 stages were the expected big spectacle. But all this is less important now and we just arrived in Lille and are touched and shocked by the actual news from cph. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families and people there. pic.twitter.com/jDhQU8Jf8k
— John Degenkolb (@johndegenkolb) July 3, 2022
Read MoreA shooting at a shopping mall in Denmark. It’s hard to believe after spending a week in such a peaceful country. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
— Matthew Keenan (@mwkeenan) July 3, 2022