[Nmcaver] Body of Dutch tourist recovered from Chinese cave

[Lee H. Skinner]

source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/08/content_4523671.htm

     LANZHOU, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Police have recovered the body of a 
Dutch tourist who died after falling in a cave in northwest China's 
Gansu Province on Saturday.

     The body had been taken to Lanzhou, the provincial capital, a Gansu 
tourism bureau official said Monday.

     Blanker Mdvedelandsd, 30, was one of nine Dutch and Norwegian 
tourists on an independent excursion in a cave in Xiahe County when he 
fell down a pit.

     The cave, located on a cliff some 4,000 meters above sea level, is 
well known among many sightseers for its unique natural beauty, although 
it has not yet been developed into an official tourism destination.

     It is also famous because it was visited by the 10th Panchen Lama, 
a living buddha of Tibetan Buddhism.

     Local sources said there are few facilities for tourists in 
thecave, and it is not easily accessible by travellers.

     It is not clear how far did Blanker Mdvedelandsd fall. In some 
places, the cave is 300 meters deep.

     Police mounted a search and rescue operation and later found his 
body in a pool at the bottom of the cave. The work took two days because 
of the complicated situation in the cave, they said.

     Relevant department of Gansu province has reported the accident to 
Dutch Embassy in China. The body of Blanker Mdvedelandsd has been frozen 
before his relatives arrive.

     Xiahe County is a major tourism attraction in Gansu, famous for its 
beautiful plains, Buddhist temples and its unique ethnic traditions.

     The accident took place during the week-long May Day holiday, which 
was shadowed by a lot of accidents and deaths. Enditem
	Editor: Luan Shanglin