LONDON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- British citizens traveling to Tanzania were advised to be cautious by the Foreign Office Thursday following an acid attack on two teenage charity workers.
"Although most visits to Tanzania are trouble-free, violent and armed crime is increasing," officials said in a statement.
The advisory was issued after two men on a motorcycle attacked Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18, Wednesday as they walked through Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar.
The young women ran into the sea to wash off the acid and were helped by passers-by, the London Evening Standard reported.
The teens were airlifted to a hospital in Dar es Salaam, where they were treated for burns to their faces, chests and hands.
The girls were not seriously disfigured, said Mkadam Khamis Mkadam, Zanzibar's assistant commissioner of police.
Gee and Trup arrived in Tanzania two weeks ago to volunteer with the non-profit organization Art in Tanzania. They were due to leave Sunday.
About 75,000 British citizens visit Tanzania every year, the Foreign Office said.
