One of the victims at the airport in Zanzibar
Two 18 year old British women volunteering as teachers on the majority Muslim Tanzanian island of Zanzibar are returning to London on Friday after being attacked with acid on Wednesday. Kirstie Trup and Katie Gee were assaulted by two men on a motorcycle, who allegedly poured acid on the women, causing burns to “their faces, hands, legs, backs and necks.”
Five men are being questioned in relation to the attack, but they have not been arrested and are reportedly cooperating with police. According to Trup’s father Marc, “The girls weren’t doing anything wrong…They were fully covered and had long sleeves on.” Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete visited Trup and Gee in the hospital, saying “This attack is a shame on our country.”
The popular tourist destination has seen deadly clashes in the last year between police and Islamist separatists. Under the Tanzanian government, Zanzibar is officially secular, but the Islamist group Uamsho (Awakening) wants the island to practice Sharia law.
Sad that something like that can happen. it is sad both for the girls and the country. it really hurts the tourism of Zanzibar with a story like that.