German police have launched a manhunt for the husband of a woman after she was burned to death in a horrific attack on public transport today.

The unidentified woman was traveling on a tram in the eastern German city of Gera when she was approached by a person who threw a mysterious liquid at her.

The 46-year-old was then set on fire and was saved thanks to the quick actions of her colleagues. They pressed an emergency button, slowing the tram and allowing the driver to exit his cab and put out the flames with a nearby fire extinguisher.

No one else was injured during the incident, while the attacker fled the scene, the Mirror reports. KosovaPress.

Investigators posted a photo of the woman's husband, Tengizi Kakiashvili, a man of Georgian descent, who is currently being treated as a suspect. The motive for the attack, or the type of liquid used, is unknown. Police also told people to avoid approaching the possible attacker.