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Missing UK explorer Benedict Allen 'alive and well' Missing UK explorer Benedict Allen 'alive and well'
(35 minutes later)
Missing UK explorer Benedict Allen has been seen "alive and well" near an airstrip in Papua New Guinea.Missing UK explorer Benedict Allen has been seen "alive and well" near an airstrip in Papua New Guinea.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said Mr Allen had asked to be rescued and efforts were under way to retrieve him.BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said Mr Allen had asked to be rescued and efforts were under way to retrieve him.
A search was mounted for the 57-year-old after his family said he had not taken planned flights home.A search was mounted for the 57-year-old after his family said he had not taken planned flights home.
Mr Allen was travelling on his own to try to find the reclusive Yaifo tribe, whom he first met 30 years ago.Mr Allen was travelling on his own to try to find the reclusive Yaifo tribe, whom he first met 30 years ago.
His agent, Jo Sarsby, said it was believed that Mr Allen was waiting at an airstrip in the country's Hewa region.
She said it was understood the airstrip was not accessible by road, so it is hoped that a helicopter will be sent on Friday.
'Requesting rescue'
The BBC's Frank Gardner told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We've had a second sighting of him now.
"Tribal chiefs in the area that he went missing say that he has been sighted near an airstrip, that he's okay, that his health is fine, that he's requesting rescue.
"So efforts are now under way to try and bring him out.
"It's always possible that they could have made a mistake, but I'm not aware of any other 57-year-old lanky British explorers that have gone missing in that area, so let's hope that it isn't a false glimmer of hope. But I think he's going to be okay."
Mr Allen's older sister, Katie Pestille, had said it was "out of character" for him to miss his scheduled flight out of Papua New Guinea to Hong Kong.Mr Allen's older sister, Katie Pestille, had said it was "out of character" for him to miss his scheduled flight out of Papua New Guinea to Hong Kong.
Who is Benedict Allen?
First solo adventure: To the Amazon at 22, during which he was shot at by two hitmen
Tough time: An initiation into manhood in Papua New Guinea. He was kept in a "crocodile nest" with 20 others, and repeatedly cut with bamboo blades to leave scars that looked like crocodile scales
Low moment: Eating his own dog to survive
Travel habit: Always keeps loo paper in a back pocket. "You know how it is," he tells the Lonely Planet.
Philosophy: "For me personally, exploration isn't about conquering nature, planting flags or leaving your mark. It's about the opposite: opening yourself up and allowing the place to leave its mark on you."
Career: Six TV series for the BBC, author, motivational speaker
Family: Lives with family in Czech Republic
The explorer, from London, has previously crossed the Amazon Basin on foot and in a dug-out canoe, and participated in a six-week male initiation ceremony in which crocodile marks were carved onto his body.The explorer, from London, has previously crossed the Amazon Basin on foot and in a dug-out canoe, and participated in a six-week male initiation ceremony in which crocodile marks were carved onto his body.
He has filmed a number of his adventures for BBC documentaries and written books on exploration.He has filmed a number of his adventures for BBC documentaries and written books on exploration.
In his last tweet from 11 October, Mr Allen wrote: "Marching off to Heathrow. I may be some time."In his last tweet from 11 October, Mr Allen wrote: "Marching off to Heathrow. I may be some time."