South London police face a manhunt for the assailant who threw a corrosive substance at a mother and her two children, leaving them injured and prompting a massive emergency response.

The incident occurred on Lessar Avenue, Clapham South, at 7:30 pm on Wednesday.

The victims were a woman and her two young daughters, who suffered burns from the chemical attack.

Disturbingly, the mother is feared to be blind after the corrosive substance was thrown over her face.

Eye-witnesses reported seeing the mother arguing with a man before the attack. A confrontation ensued, leading to the attacker launching the corrosive substance, causing severe injuries. The victims screamed for help as passers-by rushed to their aid.

A witness described the horrifying scene: “It was horrific. First, a man grabbed his kid – a girl aged two or three from a white car. He threw her onto the floor – twice! It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. The man then threw something at the woman. She was screaming, ‘my eyes! My eyes!’ I then ran into my house, grabbed a water bottle, and threw water on her eyes. Her lips were black. Her skin looked burnt.”

The attack escalated further when the assailant reportedly attempted to run the woman over with a car.

The violence also extended to a baby girl who was forcefully taken out of the vehicle and banged against the ground, according to a witness.

Emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service, responded promptly. Nine people, including the victims and those who rushed to help, sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle stated, “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 Metropolitan Police has initiated a manhunt for the suspect, deploying resources, including a helicopter, in the pursuit.

Forensic teams are examining potential evidence at the scene, including a coffee cup that may have been used in the attack.