Suspect at large

Nine people injured after acid attack in London

The police are securing evidence after the attack.(Bild: PA)

Nine people were hospitalized in Clapham, south London, on Wednesday evening after an attack - presumably with acid. A man had thrown an "aggressive substance" over a woman and then attacked a child, witnesses said. Passers-by who intervened were also injured and the perpetrator is on the run.

The horrific attack was probably preceded by a car accident. According to the Sun, an eyewitness explained that a woman and a man got out of a white car afterwards and a fight broke out in the street.

"We came outside and saw this guy take a girl out of the car and knock her to the ground twice," explained an eyewitness. The man tried to chase the attacker, who then fled, but it didn't work in his slippers.

The attack is said to have been preceded by a car accident.(Bild: AP)

Witness pours water over burned woman
"When I came back, I saw the woman who had been attacked. So I ran inside to get some water and just splashed her with it." However, the injuries were already visible. "It was the worst thing I've ever experienced," said another witness. The woman had screamed: "My eyes! My eyes!" Her skin looked burnt.

This post shows a video from the scene:

The police arrived with a large contingent, but the attacker managed to escape. The mother and her two children, who were both injured in the attack, were taken to hospital. Three police officers were also injured and had to go to hospital. Helpers who intervened also suffered injuries - a total of nine people are said to have been injured. 

The police are now investigating which "corrosive substance" was used in the attack. The manhunt for the attacker is underway.