A twelve-year-old girl suffered severe facial injuries following an attack by a peer with powdered drain cleaner, RÚV reports. The attacker and his cohort, known to the victim, appear to have been inspired by dangerous content on YouTube. A detective with the Reykjavík Metropolitan Police urges parents to monitor their children’s online activity.
Nearby residents provided first aid
A twelve-year-old girl suffered severe facial injuries on Monday after being attacked by a peer, who threw powdered drain cleaner in her face. The incident took place on the grounds of a primary school in Reykjavik.
Having been struck by the substance in both her eyes and mouth, the girl managed to knock on the door of a nearby resident shortly after the attack. They provided her with first aid and called an ambulance.
Guðrún Jack, a detective with the Capital Area Police, told RÚV yesterday that this was the first case of its kind: “We, of course, take this very seriously. It’s obviously very dangerous, and something that the attackers had seen on YouTube.”
As reported by RÚV, the girl knew the boys who attacked her. They have been interviewed by the police and have provided statements. Guðrún revealed that the boys had searched for information on how to make a bomb on YouTube.
“They had been experimenting with bombs using drain cleaner, mixing the substance with water, putting it in a bottle, and shaking it. This causes an explosion. But in this case, the assailant was carrying the substance in a bag and threw it directly at the girl,” Guðrún noted.
Could have been much worse
The girl’s injuries could have been much worse: “I understand from her father that permanent eye damage was prevented thanks to those who assisted her. They reacted just in time.”
The case is under investigation and has been referred to Child Protection Services. Guðrún says the girl is convalescing and urges parents to monitor their children’s online activity: “We fault the parents, of course. That’s just the way it is. It’s our responsibility as parents to guide our children. And we must do our best in that regard.”
