Woman Blinded After Estranged Husband’s Acid Attack

A WIFE is left blinded with her mouth melted together after her estranged husband threw acid over her in an  attack.

Atsede Nigussiem, 26, from Tigrai, Ethiopia, is only able to cry after she was allegedly attacked by Haimanot Kahsai, 29, at her home as her five-year-old son Hannibal slept inside.

Atsede ran screaming into the street for help from neighbours while Haimanot fled into the night.

Two months later Astede cannot talk, is blind in her left eye and at severe risk of losing the sight in her right eye.

She eats and drinks with a straw and spends all day “crying non stop”.

Atsede who is receiving treatment from burns specialists in Bangkok, Thailand. wrote: “I don’t know why my husband did this. I was at my parents house late at night. I just opened the door and it happened. I’m heartbroken and in pain.”

Astede said she had been married for five years to her husband before he moved to neighbouring Yemen for work in February and lost contact.

He then returned unexpectedly and launched the unprovoked acid attack after turning up unannounced at 11pm on 15 July.

Atsede was rushed to hospital where doctors gave her emergency care for wounds on her face, chest, hands and legs.

Medics recommended travelling abroad for long-term care and treatment.

The devastated mother flew to Bangkok with her sister where burns specialists at the city’s Vejthani Hospital are now battling to save the little eyesight she has left and treat her skin.

Regional manager Masha Zhigunova said Atsede “cries non stop” and cannot talk, eat or drink properly because her “mouth is melted together”.

 Atsede was rushed to hospital where doctors gave her emergency care for wounds on her face, chest, hands and legs

She said: “This is a very difficult case. Astede’s face will never be the same again.

“One eye is gone and the second eye is almost gone and her skin is all melted.

“Even she has no idea why the husband did this. She reported this to the police but he had already ran away.”

The devastated mother flew to Bangkok with her sister where burns specialists are battling to save the her eyesight and skin

Masha said that Astede is being treated by Dr. Sivat Luanraksa who is experienced in dealing with severe burns.

She added: “Astede requires debridement of necrotic tissue on her face and extremities.

“Secondly, she needs debridement and acellular dermal matrix grafting and thirdly, split thickness skin grafting.

 Astedes son Hannibal was sleeping in the house during the vicious attack

Astedes son Hannibal 

“Thankfully now she is the best place with one of the world’s best doctors looking after her. We’re all supporting her.”

Masha has launched a donations page for Atsede’s private medical care.