On the streetcar

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(Bild: dpa-Zentralbild/Hendrik Schmidt (Archivbild))

Arson attack on a streetcar: In Gera in eastern Germany, a man doused a woman with a flammable liquid and set her on fire. The 46-year-old woman was flown to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The circumstances of the crime have not yet been clarified, but the woman's husband is suspected. The suspected perpetrator managed to escape and the police are searching for the man from Georgia. 

The police are investigating an attempted murder, according to a spokeswoman. No other people were injured in the crime. A picture and a description of the wanted man were published in the afternoon. According to this, there were increasing indications that it was the woman's husband. It could not be ruled out that he posed a danger to the public, it said. He was wearing a black work jacket and a black cap.

It is unclear what liquid was involved
A large police force was deployed after the incident on Sunday morning. According to the police, the liquid that the man poured over the woman in the streetcar is still under investigation - petrol was previously mentioned. The spokeswoman said that it was still being investigated whether it was actually petrol.

Passengers press emergency button
Passengers on the streetcar pressed the emergency button after the incident - the streetcar stopped. "The perpetrator took this as an opportunity to flee in the direction of Gera Langenberg," said the police spokeswoman. The streetcar driver reacted immediately and began to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher. The woman initially received medical treatment and was then flown to hospital in a rescue helicopter.

Support offered to witnesses
The passengers and the streetcar driver were offered assistance. The streetcar initially stopped at the scene to secure evidence. The criminal investigation department is at the scene, the spokeswoman said. Pictures show soot and black spots on the streetcar.