Two injured in new acid attack in Antwerp

Two  people have been injured in another acid attack in Antwerp. The victims were attacked by a man in his forties in the district of Hoboken (pictured) on Sunday morning. Police were able to identify and arrest the man.

The attack took place sometime between 3.00 and 5.00. The two victims, men aged 20 and 21, were taken to hospital suffering from burns to the neck and face. The suspect was detained on the basis of testimony from the victims. He admits being in the area and being in possession of hydrochloric acid, but denies the attack. He is being held on charges of assault with aggravating circumstances.

The Antwerp prosecutor’s office said that this latest incident has no connection with the acid attack at an Antwerp Delhaize store in February in which a Dutch national, identified as Jelle F, threw acid in the face of a 52-year-old cleaning woman working at the store in Museumstraat. The woman was in hospital for weeks and lost her sight in one eye. The attacker in that incident remains in custody awaiting trial.