CHENGDU: Rescuers searching for a missing Australian climber have found a body believed to be that of a Japanese mountaineer who disappeared 26 years ago in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, the provincial mountaineering association said yesterday.

Villagers reported the discovery on Mount Gongga to rescuers who are searching for Andrew Clem Lindenmayer, 47, who was reported missing in the area last month.

In May 1981, a 12-member mountaineering team from Hokkaido, Japan, was attempting to scale Mount Gongga, when eight members disappeared after falling from an area 7,450 meters above sea level.

"It is believed the team encountered extremely bad weather," said Gao Ming, deputy secretary-general of the association.

"The discovery will be of comfort to the victims' families who have been waiting for news for such a long time.

"Villagers found the body on a glacier 4,040 meters above sea level on June 4 when they were picking medicinal herbs in the area.

"We believe the victim is one of eight Japanese mountaineers who went missing 26 years ago. Clothing and equipment found on the body indicate this.

"We have informed our Japanese counterparts, and the identity of the body won't be confirmed until the results of a DNA test are known.

"According to international practice, we have buried the body at the place where it was found," Gao said.

Chinese and Japanese teams have been searching for the climbers since 1994 at two-year intervals.

"Local people were also encouraged to take part," Gao said.

Gongga attracts tourists and mountaineers to its soaring peaks and panoramic scenery. It has more than 20 peaks above 6,000 meters.

Xinhua

(China Daily 06/13/2007 page5)