2013 Zanzibar acid attack

On 7 August 2013, two men on motorcycles threw acid on two 18-year-old British volunteer teachers, Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, near Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.[1][2]

Background

Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup are from Hampstead, London. They were volunteering at a local school in Zanzibar.[3]

Prior Incidents

In November 2012, Sheik Fadhil Soraga was the victim of an acid attack.[4]

In February, a Roman Catholic priest was shot to death and a church was burned down. In the past, another priest was shot and wounded and other churches were also burned.[4]

According to a close friend of the two, a Muslim woman struck Ms. Trup in the face for singing in public during Ramadan.[4][5]

Acid attack

The two were nearing the end of their one-month volunteer teaching when the attack happened.[6] The attack happened at 7:15pm on August 7, 2013. The two girls were walking on the street when their attackers approached and threw sulphuric acid on them.[3][6]

Both girls suffered burns to their face, hands, and chest. One girl suffered lesser injuries because she was walking on the side of the curb away from the attackers, so was doused with less liquid.[7]

Aftermath

After being treated at a local hospital, the two returned to London to be treated by specialists.[5] One woman has lost an ear, and faces further multiple operations, but has expressed determination to overcome the attack and a desire for justice.[8]

Five men were questioned by the police as of August 9, 2013.[5] As of August 13, 2013, no arrests have been made for committing the acid attack and the motive for the attack is unknown.[4]

Police have arrested Sheikh Issa Ponda Issa after he ran from the police. He was wanted for a possible connection to the acid attack.[9] Mr Ponda had previously been convicted of inciting religious hatred.[10] A reward of 10 million Tanzanian shillings has been offered for information leading to the capture of the attackers.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Zanzibar acid attack on Trup and Gee: Reward offered". BBC News. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  2. ↑ "Zanzibar: Acid attack on two British women volunteer teachers". CNN. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Two British women injured in Zanzibar acid attack". Reuters. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Bennhold, Katrin (13 August 2013). "Questions Follow Acid Attack on British Women in Zanzibar". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 Pflanz, Mike (9 August 2013). "Zanzibar acid attack victims doing 'well' after being admitted to hospital in London". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Zanzibar acid attack: father says teenagers devastated by ordeal". Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  7. ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/zanzibar-acid-attack-kirstie-trup-2863518
  8. ↑ "Zanzibar acid attack victim tells of battle to overcome injuries after losing ear". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2014-05-29.
  9. ↑ Judd, Terri (11 August 2013). "Zanzibar acid-attack preacher Issa Ponda surrenders to police". The Independent (London). Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "Ponda Issa Ponda shooting: Tanzania inquiry urged". BBC News. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "Zanzibar acid attack on Trup and Gee: Reward offered". BBC News. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2014.


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