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Bus on the way in Hamburg (symbol image)
Photo: Bodo Marks / picture alliance / dpa
Seats in Hamburg buses have been soaked in caustic lye by one or more perpetrators.
That is what the police said.
Two women suffered severe skin burns on their buttocks after sitting on the wet upholstery on Monday evening.
According to the police, the incidents occurred in two buses on different lines that drive through the west of Hamburg: line 22 from Blankenese in the direction of Altona and line 1 in the direction of Othmarschen.
Serious skin burns
The women, aged 17 and 39, reportedly noticed that the seats were wet after they sat down.
Then serious skin burns developed.
Both women were treated in hospitals, but were able to leave afterwards.
The 39-year-old's husband, who had accompanied his wife, suffered skin irritation on one hand, according to the police.
He had touched his wife's wet clothes.
Tests show lye
According to the first findings of the investigators, a lye was detected on the women's clothing during tests.
It is still unclear which liquid it is exactly.
After the incidents, police officers and employees of the bus company checked other buses.
Another wet seat was discovered in a vehicle on line 22.
In this case, however, the result of the investigation is still pending.
Police are asking witnesses for information about suspects.
ptz/AFP
