A Chinese 2-year-old and his family have suffered from acid burns in a revenge attack that took place in Islington, London.
The Metro reports that the toddler and his parents were hit with a “noxious substance” on Saturday afternoon, suffering “potentially life-changing injuries”.
Witnesses reported seeing a man running from the scene as the 40-year-old father, known locally as Hai, lay on the floor. A female witness who chose to remain anonymous said the family used to live on the Barnsbury Estate, close to where the attack occurred.
The witness believed the attack to be one of revenge, targeted at the father-of-two sons.
Hai and his family were walking down the street, pushing the 2-year-old toddler in the pushchair when the attack occurred.
Shop owner Murat Kayran, 43, said, “They were a Chinese family, a woman frantically ran in here when it happened and said ‘there’s been an acid attack”
“She bought one bottle at first and then after that bought three more bottles of 1.5l water to pour on the man’s burns after a person threw acid in his face.”
“Then a gentleman came in and bought another three. About five minutes later and ambulance and police cars turned up, as well as the fire brigade.”
“It’s such a scary thing to happen.”
The family were treated on a bench before being rushed to hospital.
The Independent reports that the attacker threw acid directly into the father’s face. Corrosive liquid splashed onto his wife, 36, and their son.
Authorities said in a statement that the victims “were found with injuries consistent with a noxious substance, believed to be an acid, being thrown at them.”
Specialist fire officers were dispatched to the scene with hoses to cool the burns.
Gravel has been scattered across the street where the incident occurred.
The Metropolitan Police are urging anyone with information about the attack to step forward as they determine a motive. According to the police, acid attacks in the capital rose from 261 in 2015 to 454 in 2016.
Acid attacks are only considered grievous bodily harm.
