"Face Melted"... Asian Female College Student Attacked with Hydrochloric Acid While Going Home

A female college student named Napia returning home in the United States was attacked with hydrochloric acid. Photo by GoFundMe, an online fundraising site.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jumi Lee] A 20-year-old Asian female college student was attacked with hydrochloric acid while returning home in New York, USA.

Local media Asian Dawn reported on the 17th (local time) that Nafia (21), a Pakistani woman who was walking home after getting out of a car, suffered severe burns from hydrochloric acid thrown by an assailant.

According to CCTV footage released by Asian Dawn, on the evening of the 17th of last month at around 7:41 PM, Nafia had parked her car in front of her house and was following her mother who had entered the house first. At that moment, a man suddenly ran quickly toward Nafia, threw hydrochloric acid on her face, and fled.

Startled by the sudden attack, Nafia screamed, and the hydrochloric acid that was thrown on her face entered her mouth, causing burns to her tongue and throat. The skin on her wrists and face was also corroded by the acid, and the contact lenses in her eyes melted, damaging her pupils. Nafia’s parents also suffered burns on their palms while trying to wipe off the acid with their hands.

Her parents immediately called 911, which is believed to have saved Nafia’s life. The police are currently tracking the suspect.

Nafia is enrolled at Hofstra University, a private comprehensive university in New York State. In an interview with local media, Nafia expressed, "I hope the perpetrator is caught soon so I can feel safe at home."