Massachusetts

Boston College Students Attacked With Acid in France

The students were outside of a train station in Marseille when they were sprayed with the corrosive agent

Four Boston College students were attacked with acid in France on Sunday, according to authorities.

The students were outside of a train station in Marseille around 11:00 a.m. when they were sprayed with the corrosive agent without warning.

French police arrested a 41-year-old woman whom they described as "disturbed" shortly after the incident. They said they do not think the attack was an act of terrorism.

All of the students are juniors at B.C. Courtney Siverling, Charlotte Kaufman, and Michelle Krug are part of the school's Paris program and Kelsey Korsten studies at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark.

The students were briefly hospitalized in Marseille and have since been released.

Nick Gozik, who directs B.C.'s Office of International Programs, said that "it appears that the students are fine, considering the circumstances, though they may require additional treatment for burns."

"We have been in contact with the students and their parents and remain in touch with French officials and the U.S. Embassy regarding the incident," said Gozik.

"I was just online with one of them, having an email exchange," said Jack Dunn, a spokesperson for Boston College. "She said, 'we are doing well.' Exhausted, but doing well."

In a public Facebook post, Krug thanked those reaching out to her:

"Hello friends and family-- first, I want you all to know that my friends and I are doing okay. To fill in those who have not heard, three of my friends and I were attacked this morning at a Marseille train station by a woman suffering from a mental illness. She threw a weak solution of hydrochloric acid at us from a water bottle, which got in one of my eyes and one of my friend's eyes. We were all treated at a local hospital and are anticipating a quick recovery.

I ask that if you send thoughts and prayers our way, please consider thinking about/praying for our attacker so that she may receive the help she needs and deserves. Mental illness is not a choice and should not be villainized.

I'd like to thank the US Consulate, French police, and all of the wonderful people who helped us today and made us feel safe.

Looking forward to continuing this incredible opportunity to live and study in Frnace!"

Siverling also issued a statement on Facebook:

"Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out to see if I'm OK and/or has been praying for us. I did not receive any injuries from the attack in Marseille this morning and we are all safe. The French police and the U.S. Consulate have been wonderful and we are so thankful for that.

I pray that the attacker would be healed from her mental illness in the name of James and receive the forgiveness and salvation that can only come from Him."

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