Britons on panda trip still missing after China’s earthquake
The group were travelling by coach from their hotel in Chengdu to Wolong reserve for wild pandas on Monday when the earthquake struck. Another 31 British tourists who were caught in the zone have been located, according to the Chinese Government.
David and Diane Atkins, a retired couple from Portchester, Hampshire, are among those still missing. Their only daughter, Lisa Staples, from Portsmouth, said that her father took blood pressure tablets and she feared for both her parents’ safety without proper facilities in the aftermath of the earthquake. “I am trying really hard to keep busy and not panic. But time is running out for my dad.”
Mr Atkins, 64, a former postmaster, and his 63-year-old wife have travelled around the world since retiring, including visiting India, Thailand, Kenya and Egypt in the past five years. They left Heathrow 11 days ago and are due back on Monday.
Tags: aftermath, amp, atkins, blood pressure, british tourists, britons, chengdu, chinese government, coach, dad, daughter lisa, earthquake, heathrow, kenya, mps, old wife, panda, pandas, portchester hampshire, portsmouth, postmaster, staples, Trip, visiting india
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 at 7:20 pm under