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Tourists safe after China quake Tourists safe after China quake
(about 1 hour later)
Fourteen UK tourists who were visiting a region in China when a massive earthquake struck have been found safe, the British ambassador says. Nineteen 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. Fourteen were flown from the Wolong area in Sichuan, famed for its panda reserve, to Chengdu, with five due to fly out later, 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 they were "safe and well" and consular officials were looking after them in the provincial capital.
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.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.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.
Panda 'sense'
Tourist Barry Jackson said the tour party had been waiting for a glimpse of a giant panda when the quake struck.
"Then suddenly we had this horrendous noise which is - well, you can't describe what it's like - it's like a huge, huge noise and the land's shaking beneath you and the first thing that we all thought to do, was to run."
Fellow traveller Diane Etkins said the pandas were being "really lazy, just eating bamboo" but then they suddenly started "parading round their pen".
"Looking back, they must have sensed something was wrong."
Speaking in a hotel, Ms Etkins praised the operation to evacuate the area: "The devastation...in that area that we were in is horrendous and for them to have got us out so quickly is amazing".
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 touristWe'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. Sir William said on Thursday: "The UK is grateful for the help and assistance of the Chengdu authorities on this matter."
"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 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.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.
ContactContact
Simon Wagener said she rang about 0400 BST on Thursday to say she was about to be airlifted out of the reserve.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."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.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.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.
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.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.The number of domestic tourists stranded was 2,601.
Anyone in the UK concerned about friends or relatives should call 020 7008 0000Anyone 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.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.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.