Two British 18-year-old women serving as volunteer teachers in Zanzibar were recovering on Thursday from wounds to their faces, necks and chests, after they were attacked by motorcycle riders who pelted them with acid.
Kirstie Trup, from the north London community of Hampstead, and her traveling partner Katie Gee were diagnosed with “mild” injuries at the hospital, The Telegraph reported. One doctor said: “They have burns on their hands from wiping the liquid off. They have minor injuries on their chests and their necks. Considering it could have been very bad, what they have is quite mild.”
The two were in the country to volunteer as instructors for a charity art program. The island is a frequent destination for tourists.
The two were attacked while they walked in the streets of the capital city, Stone Town, during a time of night when most people were home to celebrate the end of the Muslim fast period for Ramadan.
Marc Trup, Ms. Trup’s father, said from his London home, The Telegraph reported: “We’re trying to get them back as soon as possible. We’re trying to organize a medivac flight.”
This was Ms. Gee’s second attack in two weeks. A friend said in The Telegraph that “Katie was attacked two weeks ago by a Muslim woman for singing on Ramadan. She was shocked as it just came from out of the blue — but she wasn’t scared enough to come home [so] she stayed out there to finish her trip and volunteering.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.