Two Brits burned in Zanzibar acid attack
Police in Zanzibar launch a manhunt after two young British women have acid thrown in their faces on the east African island of Zanzibar.
The two women, named locally as Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, reported to both be aged 18, had to be treated in hospital after the incident on Wednesday night.
The teenagers are from London and were in the last week of an organised trip when men on a moped reportedly threw a corrosive substance at their heads and chests.
The women are understood to have been attacked in the Stone Town area of Zanzibar’s eponymous capital, on the west coast of the island.
Deputy police commissioner Mkadam Khamis said: “Police in Zanzibar have launched a manhunt, and we ask for public assistance in identifying the attackers.”
Motive unknown
In a statement, Kent-based i-to-i Travel, who arranged the trip, said: “They [the women] were flown to Dar es Salaam in mainland Tanzania for medical treatment and have now been released from hospital.
“All our efforts remain focused on ensuring they are supported whilst assisting them and their relatives with the arrangements for their return home.
“i-to-i Travel is working with the authorities in their investigations and continue to liaise closely with the British consulate in Tanzania.
“The motive for the incident is as yet not known and we will await the report from the local authorities in Zanzibar before any comment can be made.
“The female clients had been volunteer teachers on Zanzibar and were in the final week of their trip.
“The safety of our customers is of paramount importance to us and our own investigation will be launched as soon as it is possible to do so and more information will be released as it becomes available.”
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: “We are aware of an incident and are providing consular assistance.”
‘Violent crime increasing’
Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean around 22 miles off the coast of mainland Tanzania.
The Foreign Office travel advice for Tanzania warns that although most visits to the country are trouble-free, “violent and armed crime is increasing”.
The advice, available on its website, says: “Mugging, bag snatching (especially from passing cars) and robbery have increased throughout the country.”
It adds: “In Zanzibar incidents have taken place in Stone Town and on popular tourist beaches.”
“The safety of our customers is of paramount importance to us and our own investigation will be launched as soon as it is possible to do so and more information will be released as it becomes available.”
