WUNRN
ZANZIBAR - ACID ATTACK ON 2 UK TEEN
VOLUNTEER TEACHERS
Two British
teenagers injured in an acid attack on the island of Zanzibar are due to arrive
home today.
Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, were attacked by two men on a
motorbike as they walked through the historic capital Stone Town on Wednesday
night.
The acid was splashed over their faces, chests, backs and hands. They
have been flown to hospital in Dar es Salaam on the Tanzania mainland, where
they are recovering.
The teenagers, both from north London, were expected to leave Dar es
Salaam on Thursday night.
They were in the last week of a month-long trip as volunteer teachers to
the predominantly Muslim island when they were attacked.
In a statement, i-to-i, which organised their visit, said: "We can
now confirm that both individuals are scheduled to be repatriated to the UK.
"They are scheduled to leave Tanzania later this evening."
Jakaya Kikwete, Tanzania's president, is reported to have visited them
at the Aga Khan Hospital and promised that the men responsible for the
"shameful" attack would be found.
Miss Gee's mother Nicky Gee told Sky News her daughter had suffered
burns to her "whole face and her whole body" in the "vicious
attack".
Earlier Mrs Gee said she had been struggling with the Foreign Office and
the insurance company to get them flown home.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are doing all we can to
support the girls' welfare and help them get home as quickly as possible.