Pictures from the scene in Gera, a German city in the eastern region of Thuringia, show burned upholstery in a public tram following the distressing daylight attack
Police have launched a manhunt for a woman’s husband after she was set alight in a horrifying broad daylight attack on public transport.
The unnamed woman was travelling on a tram in the east German city of Gera on Sunday when she was approached by a mystery assailant, who poured a liquid on her. The 46-year-old was then set on fire, and was only saved thanks to the quick-thinking actions of her fellow passengers.
They pressed an emergency button, slowing the tram and allowing the driver to exit his cabin and extinguish the flames with a nearby fire extinguisher. German news agency DPA reported that that while no one else was injured during the horror incident, the attacker escaped the scene.
Police spokeswoman Katja Ridder told German publication NIUS: “Immediately afterwards, passengers pressed the emergency button, causing the tram to stop. As the tram doors opened at this point, the perpetrator took advantage of the opportunity and fled in the direction of Gera-Langenberg.”
The woman was flown to hospital via helicopter, a police spokesperson said, adding officers had immediately launched a search for the assailant. Investigators posted a photo of the woman’s husband Tengizi Kakiashvili, a man with Georgian roots who is currently being treated as a subject.
Thuringia state police said in a statement that she was “sprayed with flammable liquid and set alight by a man” before clarifying her husband was a suspect. Officials published a photo showing a balding caucasian man with black and grey hair. While he was not named, police called for anyone who saw him or may know where he is to inform them immediately.
They added it was not possible to currently rule him out as not being a threat to the general public. It is not yet known what prompted the attack, or what the liquid was. The spokesperson said: “At this time, it cannot be ruled out that the wanted man poses a danger to the public.”
Police also told people to avoid approaching the potential assailant, saying: “If you encounter Tengizi Kakiashvili or have any information about his current whereabouts, please immediately inform the Gera Criminal Investigation Department or any other police station. Please do not put yourself in danger!”
The spokesperson added: “Several police patrols are currently searching intensively for the perpetrator, who is still on the run. His name has not yet been clearly identified. Whether the two individuals knew each other is the subject of the investigation.”
