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Twelve missing tourists found in east China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-28 22:53

FUZHOU: Twelve climbers who were reported missing at a tourist site in east China's Fujian Province Monday morning were found in the afternoon, said police in the provincial capital, Fuzhou.

The 11 men and a woman from an outdoor sports club of Putian City were supposed to return to Putian Sunday after a trip to Shibachongxi, a resort about 20 km west to Fuzhou City, said a police spokesman.

Police put the number of missing at 11 in the morning.

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Their families reported to police after all of them were out of contact Monday. They were found by climbers from Fuzhou and Putian who took part in the rescue, he said.

"We lost our way in the mountains and a sudden rainstorm made it difficult for us to get out," said one of the climbers on condition of anonymity.

Ten climbers were resting at Xitai Village Forest Protection Station at Qingkou Town when a Xinhua reporter arrived at about 7 pm. The other two climbers were expected to arrive at the station soon, the spokesman said.

The 12 climbers were in good condition and would return home with relatives who were coming to collect them after police took statements, he said.

The police bureau in Fuzhou sent 100 police officers and 100 firefighters Monday morning to search for the missing.