This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7397937.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
British tourists 'safe' in China | British tourists 'safe' in China |
(20 minutes later) | |
About 100 UK tourists on tour operator trips in areas of China affected by the earthquake are safe, according to British travel group Abta. | About 100 UK tourists on tour operator trips in areas of China affected by the earthquake are safe, according to British travel group Abta. |
Spokesman Sean Tipton said: "They are all safe and none are in danger." | Spokesman Sean Tipton said: "They are all safe and none are in danger." |
But China's Xinhua news agency said that another 15 Britons were among 2,000 tourists stranded in Wenchuan county, Sichuan province. | But China's Xinhua news agency said that another 15 Britons were among 2,000 tourists stranded in Wenchuan county, Sichuan province. |
The death toll for the earthquake, which struck south-western China on Monday, now stands at 10,000. | The death toll for the earthquake, which struck south-western China on Monday, now stands at 10,000. |
'Round the clock' | 'Round the clock' |
Reports had quoted Chinese authorities as saying that they had lost contact with a 15-strong group of British tourists in Wolong, an area famous for its Giant Pandas. | Reports had quoted Chinese authorities as saying that they had lost contact with a 15-strong group of British tourists in Wolong, an area famous for its Giant Pandas. |
The Foreign Office said it had been unable to validate the reports and was trying to establish the whereabouts of any Britons in the devastated region. | |
An FO spokeswoman said: "We have no confirmed reports of any Britons being hurt in the earthquake. | |
"We are working on trying to track down all the Britons in the area." | |
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. |
Mr Tipton added: "We have been in contact with UK holiday companies and there are about 100 clients in the Sichuan region at the moment. | Mr Tipton added: "We have been in contact with UK holiday companies and there are about 100 clients in the Sichuan region at the moment. |
"In line with Foreign Office advice, there will be no tours to that region for the time being." | "In line with Foreign Office advice, there will be no tours to that region for the time being." |
Anyone in the UK concerned about friends or relatives should call 00 86 10 5192 4499 | Anyone in the UK concerned about friends or relatives should call 00 86 10 5192 4499 |
The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.8, struck south-western China on Monday afternoon. | The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.8, struck south-western China on Monday afternoon. |
In Maoxian county, 37 tourists were killed when their coach was buried in a landslide caused by the earthquake. Their nationalities were not clear. | In Maoxian county, 37 tourists were killed when their coach was buried in a landslide caused by the earthquake. Their nationalities were not clear. |
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 00 86 10 5192 4499. | 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 00 86 10 5192 4499. |
It has advised against all but essential travel to Sichuan province. | |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband earlier said the UK stood "ready to assist" in dealing with the devastation wrought by the quake. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband earlier said the UK stood "ready to assist" in dealing with the devastation wrought by the quake. |
"Emerging news of the loss of life and devastation in China is deeply saddening," he added. | "Emerging news of the loss of life and devastation in China is deeply saddening," he added. |
"My thoughts are with the Chinese people and those families who have suffered loss. The Chinese government are to be commended for their quick and efficient response." | "My thoughts are with the Chinese people and those families who have suffered loss. The Chinese government are to be commended for their quick and efficient response." |
'On standby' | |
Meanwhile, British rescue workers were waiting to learn if they will travel to China to provide assistance. | |
The International Rescue Corps (IRC) and Rapid UK, which both provide disaster response personnel, said they had contacted authorities in the UK and China with offers of assistance. | |
Julie Ryan, a spokeswoman for the IRC, said five members were ready to join an international search and rescue team. | |
"We've put them on standby waiting to see if they will be mobilised," she added. |