Four Boston College students were injured early on Sunday in Marseille, France after being sprayed with acid, University Spokesman Jack Dunn confirmed Sunday. They were all hospitalized at Hôpital de la Timone in Marseille, but have since been released.
The students have been identified as Courtney Siverling, MCAS ’19; Charlotte Kaufman, LSOE ’19; Michelle Krug, MCAS ’19; and Kelsey Kosten, CSOM ’19.
The attack happened around 11 a.m. local time in Marseille, according to The New York Times, just outside of Marseille-Saint-Charles train station. The acid was a weak solution of hydrochloric acid, thrown from a water bottle, according to a Facebook post by Krug.
French authorities arrested a 41-year-old woman in the attack, according to USA Today. Terrorism is not suspected, a spokesperson for the police prefecture in Marseille confirmed. The suspect has “a psychiatric history,” according to several outlets.
“It appears that the students are fine, considering the circumstances, though they may require additional treatment for burns,” said Nick Gozik, director of BC’s Office of International Programs. “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.”
According to the Associated Press, two of the students suffered face injuries. One of those was a minor sight injury, according to French television station France 3, and she will visit an eye doctor tomorrow. The other two students who were with them were treated at the hospital for shock.
Kaufman, Krug, and Siverling are currently enrolled in BC’s Paris program, and Kosten is a student at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark.
“Our first priority is to make sure that the students are safe and to attend to any medical concerns that they might have,” Gozik said in an email.
The U.S. State Department issued a short statement to The Boston Globe.
“We are aware of the reports regarding four U.S. citizens attacked in Marseille, France,” a spokeswoman said. “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.”
Dunn said the three studying abroad in Paris planned to stay Sunday night in Marseille and return to Paris on Monday.
Krug posted a Facebook status Sunday evening, saying that she and her friends anticipate a quick recovery. She also implored people to send thoughts and prayers not only to the four, but also for the attacker to “receive the help she needs and deserves.”
“Mental illness is not a choice and should not be villainized,” Krug wrote. “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 France!”
This story is still developing.
Mike I’m being neutral and looking for the truth. The rules of journalism used to be “Who What When Where Why.” I’m just looking for that in the news articles I read. Often in vain.
You raise the point of a “weird MAGA political narrative.”
Lets be honest. Half the people who read an article like this have the narrative of: “Another Muslim terrorist attack. We need to have a travel ban and restrict Muslim immigration to the US.” The other half read it and say “Oh no I hope it is not a Muslim attacker, those evil right wingers will use this to further their weird MAGA political narrative.” The point is that EVERYBODY is curious about the truth, and whether or not this is a hate crime.
Maybe the attacker is Mademoiselle Pierre Pierre Pierre and her family has lived in France for 12 generations. If it is worthy of newspaper articles then they can give us full information.
Particularly when the four victims have all been named and pictured in countless news stories worldwide, it’s a legitimate question as to why the attacker has not been identified. Is it the policy of the French authorities to identify victims and not potential perpetrators? Perhaps so, but that is information journalists ought to provide.