The criminal investigation department (LKA) in Dresden said on Tuesday it suspected it was a xenophobic offence, while a political motivation cannot be ruled out.

The public prosecutor’s office in Chemnitz has started an investigation for dangerous bodily harm.

The 21-year-old was walking from a local Oktoberfest event shortly before midnight when a car stopped next to him and a man said: “Foreigner! What are you doing here?”

This man and a second one got out of the car and hit the victim in the head. After the young Chilean was on the ground, he was kicked and hit in his leg with a long wooden object.

An LKA spokesperson could not give any further information on the condition of the young man, who was being treated in hospital. The perpetrators drove away.