BERLIN One of two female tourists attacked by a man near Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Germany has died, local media reported on Thursday citing state prosecutors.

A 21-year-old woman died in a hospital overnight, while her 22-year-old companion was still in hospital with serious injuries, the BR public broadcaster reported, citing a spokesperson for state prosecutors in Kempten.

A suspect has been arrested, BR quoted the spokesperson as saying. State prosecutors did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

BR cited prosecutors as saying that the women ran into a man on a bridge with a view of the world-famous castle and that he led them onto a trail.

BR reported that a scuffle ensued after the man sexually assaulted the 21-year-old. When the 22-year-old intervened, the man strangled her and threw her 50 metres into a ravine below, the report said.

He then strangled the 21-year-old and pushed her in as well, BR reported.

The suspect was caught after a massive police operation involving 25 emergency vehicles on Wednesday afternoon and taken to a police station in nearby Fuessen, it added.

(Writing by Miranda Murray; Editing by Madeline Chambers and Conor Humphries)