VICTORIA, Seychelles, On Monday evening, the police reported an incident involving three foreign women, a Spanish, a Slovakian and an Argentinian, who were attacked while hiking the Copolia trail in Seychelles. They sustained minor injuries and were treated promptly at the English River and were released. The attack has been widely condemned and has prompted calls for visitors and residents to remain vigilant when using the country’s nature trails.
Police investigations are still at an early stage, and officers have not yet identified a suspect in connection with the assault. The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) has expressed its grave concern over the situation and is imploring the public to act responsibly to prevent the country’s image from being tarnished. The SPGA manages the Copolia trail, which is one of the most popular nature walks on Mahé and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The SPGA has reminded the public that the trails are shared spaces and that any form of violence or intimidation is completely unacceptable. The authority has pledged to work closely with the police to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice. In the meantime, the SPGA has increased patrols along the most popular trails and has urged visitors to report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities without delay.
Investigators are appealing to anyone who was on the Copolia trail on Monday evening or who may have information about the attack to come forward. The police have stated that even small details could help to identify the suspect. Members of the public can contact the English River police station or the SPGA’s head office with any information they may have.
The Ministry of Tourism has also expressed concern about the impact that such incidents could have on the country’s reputation as a safe destination. The ministry noted that visitor safety is a top priority and that it will continue to work with the SPGA and other agencies to ensure that all reasonable measures are in place. The incident comes at a time when Seychelles is seeking to attract more visitors during the low season, making the response to the attack all the more important.
