Two people were attacked with liquid ammonia by two assailants on 17 July at around 20:20 on Schaerbeek’s Rue de Brabant, the Brussels-North police announced on the morning of 19 July.
The two victims have been lightly injured and treated for their injuries by paramedics at the scene of the attack. Emergency personnel and witnesses had originally feared that the liquid used in the attack was acid, but it was instead revealed to be ammonia, a mildly corrosive irritant.
Police first arrived at the scene of the crime over a fight in progress. The first patrol arrived on the scene and witnessed a crowd of around 40 people. Based on information collected from witnesses at the scene, an attempted robbery had taken place against one of the victims. A crowd quickly formed as passer-bys attempted to help the victims.
Related News
- “Corrosive substance” thrown at woman’s face turns out to be urine
- Antwerp acid attack victim fights for her life
Two people, identified by eye-witnesses, were later detained by police. The suspects were found hiding in a store on the Rue de Brabant.
While being escorted out of the store, the crowd set upon the two suspects, attacking them while in police custody. The police were forced to call for reinforcements to transfer the suspects to the police station. One suspect was injured by the crowd and taken to hospital for treatment.
The two suspects were later questioned by police, however it was not possible to identify them as the perpetrators and they were later released. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
