Exclusive News | Narration from the two British ladies attacked using acid in Zanzibar

For the first time after the two female British volunteers Kirstie Trup and Katie Gee tell what happened on
the fateful day when they were attacked by acid in Zanzibar. From Kirstie Trup's tell, she and her best friend Katie Gee were walking to a restaurant one evening when two men moped pulled up beside them and carried out the attack. One of the attackers who was carrying a jerry can lifted it up and swung it in the direction of the pair and soaked them in car battery acid.
Narrating to the BBC, Kirstie Trup said "We felt as though our flesh being seared. Our screams were so loud they could be heard by revelers at the Africa House hotel, which was several minutes' walk away from us. My entire upper body was burning, especially my right shoulder and torso. So were my feet, my face and my eyes. The skin on my right forearm looked as though it had had red paint thrown at it and I immediately noticed some discolouration on my torso and shoulder."

After the incident their attackers left without being noticed. Kirstie Trup described that one man who appeared to be a tourist came to their aid. He attempted to soothe their burns with a bottle of water before they decided two tear off their clothes and toast themselves into the ocean.

While balancing tears Miss Trup continued narrating how intensive the pain of the burn was. She said that the pain was rapidly intensifying at a much faster rate than she could reach each burning area of her body. Her right arm was swelling and it was becoming discoloured and it looked like greyish clay. The acid had created purple and greyish patches on the girls skin and it left them clawing at their faces in pain and agony.




Miss Trup also told "Locals, men and women, some in religious Islamic clothing, were slack-jawed as they watched me writhe on the ground in pain.I caught the eye of a military officer, who was among those gathered, but he just stared at me without offering to assist. Dressed in a red beret and military uniform, the soldier seemed indifferent to my cry for help."

They were taken to hospital and were attended by a student from Liverpool University who placed a drip on them. The hospital they were in was not well equipped so were flew to a Dar es Salaam after making contacts with the British consultant. The following day they gave detailed accounts on the attack and the president of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete came to visit them and apologise. After spending three nights at Aga Khan Hospital they flew back to Uk where they reunited with their family. They continued with medication at Westminster Hospital in Chelsea.
Both the girls are fairing well today. Trup plans to return to the island next year to continue with her volunteering work