4 hurt in Cambodian acid attack

A jealous factory worker in Cambodia attacked his partner with acid Wednesday, also hurting three onlookers, police said.

The 22-year-old man poured a bottle of acid over his 23-year-old female partner because of problems with their romance, said police Maj. Born Sam Ath. It happened outside the garment factory where they both work on the outskirts of Phnom Penh as she was buying sugar cane juice.

The woman was hospitalized in a critical condition. Two vendors and another woman standing nearby was splashed and suffered minor injuries. Police are hunting for the attacker.

Acid attacks that inflict horrific disfigurement on victims are not uncommon in this Southeast Asian nation. A non-governmental group that assists victims reported 10 such assaults in 2009.

Cambodia's legislature this year began drafting a new law to deal with acid attacks. Perpetrators are currently tried under general criminal law, but it is believed specific legislation with heavy punishments is needed to curb the vicious practice.