LONDON, Feb 1: In a shocking incident on Wednesday evening, nine people, including two children and three police officers, were injured in a suspected acid attack in London. The victims, a woman and her two young children were reportedly targeted by a man who threw a corrosive substance on them near Clapham Common.

Eyewitnesses reported that the altercation began when the woman and the man, who were initially in a car, got into a fight on the street. The situation escalated when the man allegedly returned to the car and attempted to run over the woman. Witnesses described a harrowing scene where the mother screamed for help, and the man reportedly slammed the baby against the ground.

Emergency services, including the police and hazardous response teams, responded quickly to the incident on Lessar Avenue around 7:25 pm. The injured victims were taken to the hospital, with five of them transported to a major trauma center.

Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle stated that while tests are ongoing to identify the corrosive substance, initial belief points to it being a corrosive substance. The suspect fled the scene, prompting a manhunt involving a police helicopter.

Despite the severity of the incident, no arrests have been made, and the police are expected to provide updates on the conditions of the injured individuals. The local community has been urged to assist with any information about the attack by calling 999 and referencing CAD 7790/31 Jan.

Members of Parliament, including Marina Ahmad and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, expressed concern and called for updates on the investigation. The London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and various emergency response units collaborated to address the chemical incident, with firefighters using specialized equipment to detect the corrosive substance.

As investigations continue, residents are advised to avoid the area to facilitate the work of emergency services. The motive behind the attack and the identity of the suspect remains under active scrutiny by law enforcement.