Woman set on fire on German tram as police launch manhunt in for assailant in German city of Gera

Staff Writers
AP
A woman was doused in liquid and set on fire on a tram in eastern Germany.
A woman was doused in liquid and set on fire on a tram in eastern Germany. Credit: AAP

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT

An assailant has poured a liquid over a woman on a tram in eastern Germany and set her on fire, police say.

The woman was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, while the attacker fled.

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Police said no other people were hurt in the incident in the eastern city of Gera. Passengers stopped the tram by pressing an emergency button, and the assailant took the opportunity to flee as the doors opened.

The tram driver immediately put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, and the 46-year-old woman was taken to a hospital by helicopter.

Police later said they were searching for the victim’s husband, also aged 46. They called for anyone who sees him or knows where he is to inform them immediately, and said they couldn’t currently rule out him posing a danger to the public.

There was no immediate word on a possible motive for the attack, or on what exactly the liquid used was.

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