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UK tourist group 'safe' in China UK tourist group 'safe' in China
(about 1 hour later)
Nineteen British tourists who were out of contact in the area devastated by Monday's earthquake in China are safe and well, state media reports. The Foreign Office is investigating reports that 19 British tourists missing in a Chinese province struck by Monday's earthquake are safe and well.
Chinese news agency Xinhua said they had arranged to stay in the Wolong giant panda reserve. Chinese news agency Xinhua had reported they had arranged to stay in the Wolong giant panda reserve in Sichuan.
It also said 33 tourists from Britain, the US and France had been airlifted to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, from Wolong.It also said 33 tourists from Britain, the US and France had been airlifted to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, from Wolong.
It is unclear whether the 19 missing Britons are part of the group of 33.It is unclear whether the 19 missing Britons are part of the group of 33.
The Foreign Office could not confirm the reports.
Xinhua reported that all of those airlifted were in good health.Xinhua reported that all of those airlifted were in good health.
The official death toll from the earthquake, which struck south-western China on Monday, now stands at nearly 15,000.The official death toll from the earthquake, which struck south-western China on Monday, now stands at nearly 15,000.
China's tourism agency told Xinhua that as of Wednesday evening it was aware of 893 foreign tourists stranded in the quake region - although the nationalities were not given.China's tourism agency told Xinhua that as of Wednesday evening it was aware of 893 foreign tourists stranded in the quake region - although the nationalities were not given.
The number of domestic tourists stranded was 2,601.The number of domestic tourists stranded was 2,601.
Poor communicationsPoor communications
On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for British travel body Abta had said the 19 were the only UK organised tour group in China still unaccounted for. Anyone in the UK concerned about friends or relatives should call 020 7008 0000On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for British travel body Abta had said the 19 were the only UK organised tour group in China still unaccounted for. Anyone in the UK concerned about friends or relatives should call 020 7008 0000
Holiday firm Kuoni had said they were on a coach from Chengdu to Wolong when the tremor hit.Holiday firm Kuoni had said they were on a coach from Chengdu to Wolong when the tremor hit.
They were customers of the Travel Collection company, one of Kuoni's subsidiaries, and had been accompanied by a local guide and driver.They were customers of the Travel Collection company, one of Kuoni's subsidiaries, and had been accompanied by a local guide and driver.
Information on tourists missing in Sichuan has been difficult to obtain because lines of communication to the quake-hit region are down.Information on tourists missing in Sichuan has been difficult to obtain because lines of communication to the quake-hit region are down.
Abta said 100 other UK tourists who had been in the affected area were safe.Abta said 100 other UK tourists who had been in the affected area were safe.
They included 31 British tourists who reportedly turned up unharmed on Tuesday night after their visit to the Wolong nature reserve.They included 31 British tourists who reportedly turned up unharmed on Tuesday night after their visit to the Wolong nature reserve.
Officials say they have no news yet from the towns at the epicentre of the quake, which had a magnitude of 7.8.Officials say they have no news yet from the towns at the epicentre of the quake, which had a magnitude of 7.8.
The Foreign Office said anyone in the UK who is concerned about friends or relatives who may be in China should call its helpline on 020 7008 0000.The Foreign Office said anyone in the UK who is concerned about friends or relatives who may be in China should call its helpline on 020 7008 0000.
It has advised against all but essential travel to Sichuan province.It has advised against all but essential travel to Sichuan province.