Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh has died after being stabbed Wednesday in a Stockholm department store.
Doctors at Karolinska Hospital say she suffered extensive liver damage and serious internal bleeding.
Surgeons worked to save Ms. Lindh's life deep into the night and into this morning (Thursday).
Police have launched a nationwide manhunt for a suspect who witnesses describe as a "Swedish-looking" man, about one and a half meters tall and wearing an army camouflage jacket.
They are also studying store security videotapes.
One witness said she saw the suspect chase Ms. Lindh up an escalator in the exclusive NK department store until she stumbled and fell. He then stabbed her in the stomach, arm, and chest before fleeing.
He also reportedly threw the knife away somewhere near the store.
Police say they do not believe the attack was politically-motivated, but declined to comment on what could have been the reason for the stabbing.
Ms. Lindh has been one of Sweden's strongest supporters for acceptance of the Euro as the new national currency. Swedes plan to vote on the issue in a referendum Sunday.
Information for this report is provided by AP and Reuters.