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Teen volunteers Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup with Tunbridge Wells travel firm i-to-i Travel hurt in acid attack horror in Zanzibar

15:00, 08 August 2013

updated: 15:35, 08 August 2013

Two teenagers working for a Kent volunteer agency have been injured in an acid attack in Zanzibar last night.

Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, had been working at an orphanage on the African island off the coast of mainland Tanzania.

They were in the final week of their trip as volunteer teachers with i-to-i Travel, based in Tunbridge Wells.

Volunteers Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup were victims of an acid attack in Stone Town, Zanzibar
Volunteers Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup were victims of an acid attack in Stone Town, Zanzibar

In a statement, the travel firm said: "All our efforts remain focussed 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."

It added "the motive for the incident is as yet not known".

The two women, from London, were attacked while outside a restaurant by two men on a moped who then sped off.

They suffered burns to their faces, chests and hands after the corrosive substance was thrown in their faces in the late-night attack in Stone Town.

The pair were flown to hospital in mainland Tanzania for treatment and have now been released. They were being flown back to Britain today.

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