A teenager has sustained injuries described as potentially life-changing after an unknown substance was thrown at him during an altercation in Manchester. The incident occurred near the Arndale Shopping Centre on the evening of September 12, 2026.
Emergency services, including paramedics and fire crews, responded to the scene in Exchange Square around 6:10 p.m. The victim, a male in his mid-teens, was transported to a local hospital. Authorities have stated his injuries are not life-threatening but could have a lasting impact.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported that the substance was thrown after a verbal altercation between the teenager and another individual. A witness at the scene described seeing the teenager being hosed down by the fire brigade before being taken away in an ambulance.
A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and is currently in custody for questioning. GMP has established a scene in the area and is conducting ongoing investigations.
Police are appealing for anyone with information, including CCTV, mobile phone footage, or dashcam recordings, to come forward. They can be contacted via 101 or through the GMP website, referencing log number 2156 of 12/09/2026.