Emergency services were called to a restaurant on Dixon Street, Haymarket, after reports that an injured woman had sought refuge inside at 11pm last night.
Police were told the 32-year-old woman was standing on the street when a black hatchback stopped in front of her.
Three men wearing face masks got out of the car and threw acid in the woman’s face.
Then they got back in the car and drove away.
The woman was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital to be treated for facial injuries.
NSW ambulance inspector Andrew Bibby said chemical burns to the face can be life-threatening.
“When paramedics arrived, this patient was very desperate and seemed to be struggling to breathe. Her face was quite swollen due to the chemical substance which also affected her vision,” he said.
“A chemical burn to any part of the body is extremely worrying, let alone to a person’s face. Of all the injuries that paramedics attend, burns can be the most painful and difficult to deal with.”
“A burn on the face can also have life-changing consequences such as blindness and horrible scarring.”
Police believe the attack was targeted.
Detective, Inspector Sean West said police are investigating whether the motive was personal or over a relationship.
They are also investigating links to organized crime.
“The exact motive for the attack is under investigation,” he said.
“This is completely unacceptable.”
A crime scene was established and officers are investigating the incident.
Inspector West described it as an “eerie” attack.