Acid victim to have 'skin graft'

A teenager discharged from hospital after suffering an acid attack in Zanzibar will today return for a skin graft.

Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, from north London, were admitted to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on their return to the UK.

Ms Gee remain in hospital and is said to be in a "stable" condition.

The friends were enjoying the last week of a trip as volunteer teachers to the predominantly Muslim island when a corrosive substance was thrown at them.

The mother of Kirstie Trup, one of the British teenagers injured in an acid attack in Zanzibar, has said she will return to hospital for a skin graft.

The Daily Telegraph reports that she said:

Kirstie's father has said the teenager minimised the extent of her injuries by running into the sea immediately after the attack:

Kirstie's friend, Katie Gee, remains in hospital.

The teenager discharged from hospital after suffering an acid attack in Zanzibar has been named as 18-year-old Kirstie Trup.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said she left while her friend remains, being treated for burns where she was previously said to be in a "stable" condition.

The spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that Kirstie Trup was discharged from the hospital last night. Katie Gee remains in hospital. No details on either of the patients' treatment will be released at this time."

Read more: Acid attack victim discharged

One of the teenagers injured in an acid attack in Zanzibar has been discharged by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

In a statement the hospital said: "We can confirm that one patient was discharged from the hospital last night. The second patient remains in hospital. No details on either of the patients’ treatment will be released at this time.

"This approach is in line with the families’ wishes and we continue to ask that the media respect their privacy at this time."

Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, from north London, were enjoying the last week of a trip as volunteer teachers to the predominantly Muslim island when a corrosive substance was thrown at them.

A cleric wanted in connection with the acid attack which injured two British teenagers in Zanzibar has handed himself in to police tonight, according to reports.

Sheikh Issa Ponda Issa was injured earlier this weekend as he tried to evade police, following the attack on Kirstie Trup and Katie Gee.

Police hunting for sheikh Ponda said they would do "everything they can" to catch the perpetrators.

But there are reports tonight that the cleric - injured in the shoulder after a stand-off with police - surrendered to officers.

A friend of two British girls attacked with acid in Zanzibar said their assailants "smiled" before throwing the substance, Channel 4 News has reported.

Student Olivia Moore told the programme: "The two men were on a moped and they went past a group of tourists, and then stopped for the girls.

"The two men then looked at each other, they nodded, and then the man on the back of the bike smiled and threw acid on the girls. From then on it is just chaotic."

Zanzibar police are searching for a radical Muslim preacher wanted in connection with the attack.

Police are searching for a radical Muslim preacher wanted in connection with an acid attack on two British teenagers in Zanzibar.

Sheikh Issa Ponda Issa was hit in the shoulder with a tear-gas canister as he was cornered by officers near Dar es Salaam, local police said.

Faustine Shilogile, a local police commander, said, "He has not been arrested. He has been shot at. We have been looking for him in all corners of the country."

Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, are being treated in London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for burns inflicted in the unprovoked attack.

It has been reported that a radical Muslim preacher wanted in connection with an acid attack on two British teenage girls in Zanzibar was shot tonight as he fled police trying to arrest him.

Reports said police hit Sheikh Issa Ponda Issa in the shoulder with a tear gas canister near Dar es Salaam.

Read: 'Acid attack suspect shot'

A woman from Wimbledon - who was the victim of an acid attack 30 years ago - has offered hope and support to the two teenage girls recently targeted in Zanzibar. Lynn Pereira had to undergo more than 140 operations, after a gallon of acid was thown in her face.

She's been describing how the attack on Londoners Kirstie Trup and Katie Gee has brought back painful memories but that she now feels that she is a 'victor'. Ruth Banks has been speaking to her.

One of the teenagers attacked with acid in Zanzibar has thanked supporters for their good wishes, as the pair continue to recover in hospital.

Katie Gee took to Twitter to say:

The student sent the message from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London where she and her friend Kirstie Trup, both 18, were receiving treatment for their burns inflicted in an unprovoked attack while they were on a volunteering holiday.

The pair arrived back in the country yesterday and were transferred to the capital's regional burns centre.