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Woman set alight on tram in eastern Germany

She is in a life-threatening condition following the incident, after which the assailant fled the scene.

By contributor Associated Press
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Police and firefighters stand outside a tram
The incident occurred on board a tram in Gera, eastern Germany (Bodo Schackow/dpa/AP)

A woman is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after an assailant poured a liquid over her on a tram in eastern Germany and set her alight.

Police said no-one else was injured in the incident in Gera on Sunday, German news agency dpa reported.

Passengers stopped the tram by pressing an emergency button, and the assailant took the opportunity to flee.

Firefighters stand outside a tram
The incident occurred in Gera, eastern Germany, on Sunday (Bodo Schackow/dpa/AP)

The tram driver immediately began to extinguish the flames, and the 46-year-old woman was taken to hospital by helicopter.

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

It is not yet known what prompted the attack, or what the liquid was.