Children among 9 injured as corrosive substance thrown in London

At least eight people including children have been injured in an incident of throwing a corrosive substance on Clapham’s Lessar Avenue, London Wednesday as authorities have started a manhunt to arrest the suspect, the UK media reported.

According to the rescue officials, children and a woman were given medical assistance immediately at the scene as they responded at around 7:25pm.

London Ambulance Service said it treated nine people, with five of them taken to a major trauma centre.

"Three patients were taken to a local hospital and the other was discharged at the scene," it added.

Videos surfaced on social media show police vehicles and rescue officials at the scene as law enforcement authorities cordoned off the place of the incident.  

Marina Ahmad, a member of the London Assembly for Lambeth and Southwark, described the incident as a traffic collision involving a man assaulting occupants in a car and throwing acid.

The officers who responded were also among the injured however, their condition was non-life threatening.

The Met’s Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle said: “While tests are ongoing to determine what the substance is, at this stage we believe it to be a corrosive substance.

"While tests are ongoing to determine what the substance is, at this stage we believe it to be a corrosive substance.

"A man was seen fleeing the scene. We are drawing on resources from across the Met to apprehend this individual and work is ongoing to determine what has led to this awful incident.

"The National Police Air Service are assisting us. Any members of the public who can help us with information or material should call 999 immediately ref CAD 7790/31 Jan."