China-Africa: Two Chinese explorers reportedly missing in African desert
KUNMING, (Xinhua) — Two Chinese explorers in the Sahara Desert have been out of contact for more than three days, said sources from their hometown in southwestern Yunnan Province Tuesday.
Olympic torch bearer Jin Feibao and geologist Fei Xuan began their desert tour in Algeria May 16. According to their plan, the pair would ride on camels and maintain contact via satellite communication facilities.
After beginning their trip, the pair has not been heard from, said Xu Hongyan, one of Jin’s employees who was put in charge of their communications.
“Jin is an experienced explorer and was equipped with advanced communication facilities,” Xu said.
She has called the exploration company in Algeria where the explorers rented camels. That company agreed to send out a rescue team.
If those efforts fail, Xu planned to contact the Algerian Embassy in China for help on Wednesday.
A woman with the Chinese Embassy in Algeria, surnamed Jiang, told Xinhua via telephone that she learned of the missing explorers from the media and would be reporting the information tothe ambassador.
She could not confirm Xu’s story or say what measures might be taken by the embassy.
Jin and Fei started an expedition in Africa last month. They planned to cover 7,500 kilometers throughout Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Algeria, Libya and Egypt within 80 days.
Editor: Yan
Tags: Algeria