Two London teens hospitalized after suspected acid attack outside school

Two teenagers are hospitalized following a suspected acid attack outside Westminster Academy in West London, leaving one with potentially life-altering injuries. The horrific incident occurred on Monday afternoon as students and staff were departing for the day, when a corrosive substance was thrown at a group near the school.

A 14-year-old girl is receiving treatment for injuries that authorities fear may be life-changing, while a 16-year-old boy, also injured, is in the hospital with less severe injuries. A third victim, a 27-year-old woman, was discharged after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.

London police, who have launched an urgent investigation to apprehend those responsible, confirmed that tests are underway to identify the substance, believed to be acidic. Two officers who responded to the scene were also taken to the hospital after feeling unwell but have since been released.

In a statement, Westminster Academy principal Numera Anwar described the attack as a deeply distressing event, explaining that the school was closed on Tuesday for a thorough investigation. “This happened outside our school as students and staff were leaving for the day. We are working to ensure all safety measures are in place before resuming normal operations tomorrow,” Anwar said.

This latest attack underscores a troubling trend of rising violence involving corrosive substances in the UK, with London witnessing a surge in assaults targeting teenagers. The area has already been rocked by recent violence, including the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy in a nearby park in July.

Westminster City Council leader Adam Hug expressed outrage over the attack, calling it "truly shocking" and pledging support for the school and affected community. Multiple crime scenes have been established as part of the ongoing investigation, as authorities work to bring the perpetrators to justice.