Nine injured following an acid assault in a German city

An acid assault in a cafe in the German city of Bochum has left nine people injured.

“A man entered the cafe at around 3.25 p.m. and poured an acidic liquid over a guest sitting at a table in the outdoor area” leaving the victim “seriously injured,” local police said in press release.

In addition to four police officers and two firefighters who came into touch with the liquid after being called to the scene, there were additional injuries to a server and a woman seated next to the man.

Although the perpetrator initially fled authorities swiftly detained him nearby.

The reason for the incident remains unknown. A police inquiry is underway.