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UK tourists 'turn up' after quake UK group still missing in China
(about 22 hours later)
Chinese officials say 31 British tourists have turned up unharmed in the area devastated by Monday's earthquake. A group of 19 British tourists remain out of contact in the area devastated by Monday's earthquake in China.
A Foreign Ministry statement said the group returned to the provincial capital Chengdu on Tuesday night from a visit to the Wolong nature reserve. Holiday firm Kuoni said the group were on a coach from Chengdu to Wolong in Sichuan province when the tremor hit.
It is not clear if the group is the same as the 19 Britons who were reported missing earlier. A spokeswoman for travel body Abta added that the 19 were the only UK organised tour group in China who were still unaccounted for.
Travel firm Kuoni said the 19 were on a coach from Chengdu to Wolong in Sichuan province when the tremor struck. Chinese officials have said that 31 other British tourists turned up unharmed on Tuesday night.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said the group returned to the provincial capital Chengdu from a visit to the Wolong nature reserve.
'Further updates'
The death toll from the earthquake, which struck south-western China on Monday, now stands at nearly 15,000.
Kuoni said that the 19 missing British tourists had been customers of the Travel Collection company, one of its subsidiaries, and had been accompanied by a local guide and driver.
The only people we have not heard from at the moment are these 19 who are travelling with Kuoni Abta spokeswoman Fears for tourists in quakeUK search team in China effort
A spokeswoman said that the company was in regular contact with the Foreign Office in Chongqing about their whereabouts.
"We are waiting for further updates," she added.
She said she hoped that before nightfall rescue teams would arrive at the area in which they were believed to be located.
The spokeswoman added that the company was providing their families with support and as much information as possible.
An Abta spokeswoman said it had contacted its members, as well as companies belonging to the Association of Independent Tour Operators (Aito), who organise tours in China.
She said: "In terms of organised travel or people who are on organised tours, the only people we have not heard from at the moment are these 19 who are travelling with Kuoni."
British travel group Abta said 100 UK tourists in affected areas were safe.British travel group Abta said 100 UK tourists in affected areas were safe.
The Foreign Office said it had no confirmed information of British injuries, but that local reports said 15 Britons were unaccounted for.The Foreign Office said it had no confirmed information of British injuries, but that local reports said 15 Britons were unaccounted for.
'Lines of communication'
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.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."
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
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 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.
'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.