A woman has been left in critical condition after an unknown male assailant set her on fire in a suspected random attack on a German tram.
The unnamed man, 46, reportedly doused the woman with a flammable liquid before setting it alight on Sunday morning in Gera, eastern Germany.
Police in the state of Thuringia, where Gera is located, say the suspected attacker is believed to be the husband of the victim, also aged 46.
Other passengers on board the tram had reportedly pressed the emergency stop button during the horrific attack, where the suspect made his escape as soon as the doors opened.
‘The perpetrator took this as an opportunity to flee towards Gera’s Langenberg [district],’ a police spokeswoman said.
The driver of the vehicle then reacted with urgency and began spraying the flames that were engulfing the woman with a fire extinguisher, she added.
The victim received medical treatment on the scene before being flown to a hospital by helicopter with life-threatening injuries.
Other passengers and the driver were offered psychological care following the attack which took place at around 10am local time.
Police in the state of Thuringia, where Gera is located, say the suspected attacker is believed to be the husband of the victim, also aged 46
Following the attack, the tram remained stationary at the scene for forensic investigation
There was no immediate word on a possible motive for the attack, or on what exactly the liquid used was.
Police said they were searching for the victim’s husband, and have called for anyone who sees him or knows where he is to inform them immediately.
They added that they could not currently rule out him posing a danger to the public.
Authorities added patrols ‘are actively searching for the perpetrator’, who was not yet identified but wanted for attempted murder.
No one else was injured in the attack, the police spokeswoman added.
Following the attack, the tram remained stationary at the scene for forensic investigation, the police spokeswoman added.
Images from the incident showed soot and blackened areas inside the tram.