Two British charity workers have been attacked with acid in the east African island of Zanzibar, police have confirmed.
Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, were walking through the streets of Stone Town late in the evening when two men on a moped approached them.
A corrosive substance was then thrown at the 18-year-olds, according to Sky News.
The acid splashed their faces, chests and hands and they had to be taken to a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for emergency treatment.
The two teenagers had been there as part of a four week trip with volunteering organisation i-to-i. They were due to return to the UK on Saturday.
Both girls have now been discharged from hospital. A statement from the organisation said: “The motive for the attack 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.”
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: “We are aware of an incident and are providing consular assistance.”She added that officials became aware of the incident last night.
Deputy police commissioner Mkadam Khamis told Sky News: “Police in Zanzibar have launched a manhunt, and we ask for public assistance in identifying the attackers.”
Zanzibar, located 22 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean.
Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, were walking through the streets of Stone Town late in the evening when two men on a moped approached them.
A corrosive substance was then thrown at the 18-year-olds, according to Sky News.
The acid splashed their faces, chests and hands and they had to be taken to a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for emergency treatment.
The two teenagers had been there as part of a four week trip with volunteering organisation i-to-i. They were due to return to the UK on Saturday.
Both girls have now been discharged from hospital. A statement from the organisation said: “The motive for the attack 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.”
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: “We are aware of an incident and are providing consular assistance.”She added that officials became aware of the incident last night.
Deputy police commissioner Mkadam Khamis told Sky News: “Police in Zanzibar have launched a manhunt, and we ask for public assistance in identifying the attackers.”
Zanzibar, located 22 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean.
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