(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-17 19:44

HOTAN, Xinjiang -- The identity of a Russian canoeist whose body was found on Sunday in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has been confirmed, rescuers said on Monday.

The man was identified by Chinese and Russian rescuers as Vladimir Smetannikov, born on March 8, 1982, a Chinese spokesman with the rescue headquarters said.

Chinese rescuers have also handed over items found on the body to Russian counterparts, including three passports, three air tickets, a black-and-yellow bag, a suit, a pink helmet, a pair of gloves, and a few dollars and ruble, the spokesman said.

Smetannikov and five other tourists failed to meet their Chinese interpreter in southern Xinjiang's Hotan Prefecture as planned on September 2 after they began a canoeing trip on the Yurungkax River in mid-August.

Rescuers retrieved three bodies over the weekend: two from under two canoes on Saturday and Smetannikov on the bank of the upper reaches of the Yurungkax River on Sunday.

Forensic doctors are trying to determine the cause of death and identify the other two bodies.

Also Monday, the search for three other missing Russian tourists was again suspended as a sandstorm continued.

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