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 1 Version 2
British tourists 'safe' in China UK tourists 'missing' after quake
(about 7 hours 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. A group of 19 British holidaymakers are missing following the Chinese earthquake, a holiday company has said.
Spokesman Sean Tipton said: "They are all safe and none are in danger." Travel firm Kuoni said the Britons were on a coach from Chengdu to Wolong in Wenchuan County in Sichuan province when the tremor struck.
But China's Xinhua news agency said that another 15 Britons were among 2,000 tourists stranded in Wenchuan county, Sichuan province. British travel group Abta said 100 UK tourists in affected areas were safe.
The death toll for the earthquake, which struck south-western China on Monday, now stands at 10,000. The Foreign Office said it had no confirmed reports of British injuries, but local reports quoted authorities as saying 15 Britons were unaccounted for.
'Round the clock' 'Lines of communication'
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 death toll for the earthquake, which struck south-western China on Monday, now stands at over 12,000.
Officials say they have no news yet from the towns at the epicentre of the quake, which had a magnitude of 7.8.
They are all safe and none are in danger Sean TiptonAbta
Kuoni said that the 19 British tourists had been customers of the Travel Collection company, one of its subsidiaries, and had been accompanied by a local guide and driver.
A statement from the company said it was trying to make contact with the group.
It added: "All lines of communication to the region are down and as such no further information is known at this time. We are working closely with the British Consulate in China."
China's Xinhua news agency said that 15 Britons were among 2,000 tourists stranded in Wenchuan county, Sichuan province.
Reports had quoted Chinese authorities as saying that they had lost contact with the 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.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.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.""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. But Abta said that about 100 UK tourists on tour operator trips in areas of China affected by the earthquake are safe.
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. Spokesman Sean Tipton said: "They are all safe and none are in danger.
"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 020 7008 0000
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 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.
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.
"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''On standby'
Meanwhile, British rescue workers were waiting to learn if they will travel to China to provide assistance.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.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.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."We've put them on standby waiting to see if they will be mobilised," she added.