2 British Teens Hurt in Acid Attack in Zanzibar

Two British teenagers were splashed with acid by attackers on a motorcycle as they walked along a street in the African island of Zanzibar, reports Reuters. Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, suffered injuries to their face, chest, and hands in the attack last night, but both are out of the hospital, reports the BBC. Authorities are trying to fly them back to Britain today. They had been volunteering as teachers at a local a school.

"The two attackers passed by several white tourists in the area and threw acid after reaching closer to them, which raises suspicion of a planned attack," says an official with the Art in Tanzania charity. Authorities have not speculated about a motive, but they condemned the attack and reminded locals that tourism is essential to Zanzibar, reports CNN. A friend tells the Telegraph that Gee had been slapped in the face about two weeks ago in the street by a woman who was apparently upset that Gee was singing during Ramadan. (More Tanzania stories.)