Six people have been hurt after a man set a train carriage on fire in Switzerland and stabbed several passengers.

The alleged attacker, who is a Swiss citizen, was also injured when the train was set alight as it travelled in the far east of the country, along the border with Liechtenstein.

Swiss police say the possibility of terrorism seems "very, very far-fetched" - however, they are not excluding the possibility it was a crime of passion.

A six-year-old child is among those who were injured as the train travelled between Buchs and Sennwald at 2.20pm local time (1.20pm UK time).

The victims also include two men aged 17 and 50, as well as three women aged 17, 34 and 43.


Image: A train displays a sign saying 'do not enter' as investigators examine the scene

A police spokesman has said the attacker and one of his female victims are in a very serious condition in hospital, and that their lives are in danger.

In a statement, St Gallen Police added: "According to current information a 27-year-old Swiss man poured out a flammable liquid. He was also armed with at least one knife. The liquid caught fire."

It has been reported that the attacker targeted one woman in particular by dousing her in flammable liquid.

Several dozen passengers were on the train when the incident began, officials added, and a "massive contingent" of police, firefighters, rescue helicopters and paramedics are at the scene.

Nearby Salez station was closed as a criminal investigation began.