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Hong Kong tourist missing in DR Congo

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-07-07 21:53

KINSHASA, -- A tourist from Hong Kong is missing after she fell into a volcano in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Chinese Embassy here said on July 7.

The tourist, identified as Cecilia Cheng Siu-yan, 34, slipped into the crater of Nyiragongo volcano, located near Goma, regional capital of Northern Kivu province, on Friday, embassy officials said.

The UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) said UN helicopters flew to the site to search for the tourist after she was reported missing but failed to find her due to low visibility.

Rescuers planned to resume the search on Saturday, the MONUC said. Embassy officials said they would stay in touch with the UN mission and continue working to find Zheng.

Nyiragongo, an active volcano, is considered one of the most dangerous in Africa. Its crater is about 2,000 meters wide and 240 meters deep. It erupted in January 2002, forcing 100,000 people to flee their homes.