Monday, August 20, 2007 at 09:25
Indian fairgoers attacked in Saxony, 12 injured

Muegeln, Germany (dpa) - [color="Navy"]A mob attacked a group of Indian fairgoers in a village in the eastern German state of Saxony, German police said late Sunday.

Eight Indians and four Germans were reported injured. The incident occurred at a village festival Saturday night in Muegeln, population 4,700.

After a scuffle, a group of about [color="navy"]50 mostly young Germans apparently pursued a group of Indian visitors, who fled into a pizzeria. The doors of the restaurant were kicked in by the pursuing mob.

A reported 70 police officers were needed to disperse the attackers, and two officers were injured. A large crowd reportedly witnessed the violence.

Saxony state Police Chief Bernd Merbitz told Deutsche Presse- Agentur dpa that a "xenophobic motive" could have been a factor in the violence.

"We're investigating in every direction," he said.

Among the injured, one Indian and one German were hospitalized.

[color="navy"]There was no immediate report of arrests. Authorities have formed a task force to investigate the incident.

The incident was not revealed by police until nearly a day later.

http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=12980