Boston College Students Recovering After Acid Attack In Marseille, France
BOSTON (CBS) -- The four American tourists who were wounded when they were sprayed with acid in France are students at Boston College, the school said in a release.
The four students were sprayed in the face outside the Saint Charles train station in Marseille early Sunday morning. Police have not released a motive but said they do not believe it is related to terrorism.
The girls were identified by BC as juniors Courtney Siverling, Charlotte Kaufman, Michelle Krug, and Kelsey Kosten.
Officials said two were burned in the face and the others were treated for shock. They have all been released from the hospital.
Siverling posted a message on Facebook Sunday.
"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 Jesus and receive the forgiveness and salvation that can only come from Him."
Jack Dunn, a Boston College spokesperson said, "Their spirits are good, they were treated for burns as a result of being sprayed in the face with acid. One of them had to deal with an eye, acid getting in her eye. But they are doing well, their spirits are good, we are very fortunate."
Director of BC's Office of International Programs also released a statement to ensure "the students are fine, considering the circumstances, though they may require additional treatment for burns."
He also said the program with remain in touch with the girls, parents, the Embassy, and French officials.
A 41-year-old French woman who police describe as "disturbed" has been arrested in the attack, the school said.
On witness to the attack said the woman just sat on a bench and did not move afterward.
Siverling, Kaufman, and Krug are enrolled in BC's Paris program, while Korsten studies in Denmark at the Copenhagen Business School.
Many students on Boston College's campus were talking about the incident.
"It's scary to think that you don't know what could happen to you, especially when you're in an environment where you're supposed to be studying soI guess you just have to be careful everywhere you go," one young woman said.
Another man said, "It's just one of those things that you can't control. It's kind of scary. I know for me, in particular, I didn't go to France because I was afraid of terrorism. This doesn't seem like it's that kind of incident but it could happen to anybody. It's horrific."
A State Department spokesperson responded, saying: "We are aware of the reports regarding four U.S. citizens attacked in Marseille, France. The safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the State Department's highest priorities. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment."