American college students sprayed with acid in France forgive attacker

Four American college students who were attacked with acid at a French train station offered forgiveness to their attacker and requested prayers for her healing, The Telegraph reported.

What happened during the attack?

Four Boston College juniors who are studying abroad in Europe this semester were attacked by a woman on Sunday at the Saint-Charles train station in Marseille, according to ABC News. The attacker threw hydrochloric acid at the four women. Authorities said the 41-year-old attacker has a history of mental illness and they do not believe the incident to be connected to terrorism.

A spokesperson for Boston College identified the students as Courtney Siverling, Charlotte Kaufman, Michelle Krug, and Kelsey Kosten.

Why forgiveness?

Siverling took to Facebook on Sunday to thank those who have prayed for her and reached out to her after the attack.

“I did not receive any injuries from the attack in Marseille this morning and we are all safe,” Siverling wrote, adding that she is thankful for the work of French police and those at the U.S. Consulate.

She wrote that she is praying that her 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.”

What else did the students say?

In her own Facebook post, Krug wrote that the attacker “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,” Krug wrote.

Krug asked her friends and family to pray for her attacker.

“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,” Krug wrote. “Mental illness is not a choice and should not be villainized.”

How are the students doing after the attack?

A spokesperson for Boston College said Monday that the four students plan to continue their European studies. They have been released from the hospital and are “doing well.”

“We are very proud of our students and the gracious manner in which they have handled themselves throughout this ordeal,” university spokesman Jack Dunn said in a statement. “The BC community is here to provide whatever support and assistance they need.”

(H/T: Yahoo News)