Man Attacks Ex-Girlfriend In Drive By Acid Attack

A young woman and her friend have been horrifically burned after her boyfriend sprayed sulphuric acid into their moving car.

The horrific incident took place on Cristobal Toral Street in the municipality of Cartama in the southern Spanish province of Malaga yesterday (Tuesday), 12th January.

The police said the two young women, both aged 26, were travelling in a car together when the suspect, who dated one of them and had a restraining order against him, pulled up alongside them.

He then squirted the sulphuric acid into the car, resulting in both of them jumping out of the car which continued moving and crashed, according to reports.

By the time the ambulance arrived, the girlfriend who is believed to have been the target of the attack, identified only by her first name Sandra, suffered extensive burns over 60 percent of her body, and most of her clothing had melted.

Eyewitness Anabel Rueda who tried to help the women told local newspaper La Opinion de Malaga that they were lying on the ground and that one of them complained that she was cold and that it hurt a lot.

When the ambulance arrived, she was so critical that paramedics took an hour to stabilise her before they could bring her to Hospital Virgen del Rocio in Seville where she was placed in intensive care and is said to be in a critical condition.

Her friend, who suffered 25 percent burns mainly to her face, is also in a serious condition and hospitalised.

The Spanish Civil Guard, who are still searching for the 26-year-old boyfriend, said that as well as the restraining order, he also has a criminal record. He is apparently on the run and has not been seen since the attack.

Cartama mayor Jorge Gallardo, who is in direct contact with the police over the shocking incident, confirmed that the boyfriend is the main suspect. He was identified by his initials of J.A.D.H and is from the nearby city of Fuengirola, also in Malaga Province.

Rocio Ruiz, the head of the Equality Department of the regional government of Andalusia, said on Twitter that she felt “horrified” by the attack.

The city council has arranged for a minute silence today (Wednesday) to protest against such violent acts.

The investigation is ongoing.