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Tourists safe after China quake | Tourists safe after China quake |
(30 minutes later) | |
Fourteen UK tourists who were visiting a region in China when a massive earthquake struck have been found safe, the British ambassador says. | Fourteen UK tourists who were visiting a region in China when a massive earthquake struck have been found safe, the British ambassador says. |
They were taken from the Wolong area in Sichuan, famed for its panda reserve, to Chengdu "where they are safe and well", Sir William Ehrman said. | They were taken from the Wolong area in Sichuan, famed for its panda reserve, to Chengdu "where they are safe and well", Sir William Ehrman said. |
He said consular officials were looking after them, and another five tourists were due to be taken to Chengdu later. | He said consular officials were looking after them, and another five tourists were due to be taken to Chengdu later. |
The quake killed more than 15,000 people, with 26,000 still trapped. | The quake killed more than 15,000 people, with 26,000 still trapped. |
The British tourists were visiting the panda reserve on Monday when the quake struck. | |
Contact was lost with them, raising fears they had been injured in the quake which left villages flattened. Other British tourists have been accounted for. | |
We've been living on our nerves for the past few days, we're just shattered, so this is an enormous relief Simon WagenerRelative of British tourist | |
But Sir William said on Thursday: "Of the group of 19 British tourists that were missing in the Wolong area, 14 have now been evacuated to Chengdu where they are safe and well. | |
"We understand the remaining five tourists are also safe and we expect them to be evacuated to Chengdu later today. | |
"The UK is grateful for the help and assistance of the Chengdu authorities on this matter." | |
The Foreign Office said the holidaymakers were flown by helicopter to Chengdu. | |
The brother-in-law of tourist Liz Cullen said he was relieved to hear she was safe, after having heard nothing from her since Sunday. | |
Contact | |
Simon Wagener said she rang about 0400 BST on Thursday to say she was about to be airlifted out of the reserve. | |
Mr Wagener told the BBC: "We've been living on our nerves for the past few days, we're just shattered, so this is an enormous relief." | |
He said he had only spoken briefly to Ms Cullen and had no further details of her ordeal. | |
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. | |
China's tourism agency told news agency Xinhua 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. | |
Anyone in the UK concerned about friends or relatives should call 020 7008 0000 | |
Abta said earlier 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. | |
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. | |
It has advised against all but essential travel to Sichuan province. |