2 Australians rescued in Hoh Xil

GOLMUD -- Two Australian tourists were found by Chinese rescuers Sunday afternoon after being stranded for five days in Hoh Xil on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, police said.

One suffered an injury on the right arm, but both are generally in good health, said Guo Haili, head of the public security bureau of the city of Golmud, Qinghai province.

The two Australians were identified as Edward Tasman Game and Hamish Henry Reid, according to Guo.

Edward Tasman Game and Hamish Henry Reid talk about their experience after being rescued in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Qinghai province, Oct 23, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Doctors with the rescue team treated the injured. Rescuers and the two Australians had arrived at a supply station in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, where they would stay overnight, Guo told Xinhua.

They were expected to return to Golmud late Monday, Guo added.

Rescuers found the two Australians at 1:40 pm Sunday after walking 40 km as the area is not accessible to cars.

The Australians entered Haixi Mongolian-Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture by bicycles and then lost their way near the Zhuonai Lake in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve on Wednesday.

Local police immediately sent three rescue teams to search for them after receiving information. In the latest contact made on Sunday morning, the Australians said they were in fine physical conditions. Rescuers told them to stay put and await rescue.

Perched at an altitude of 4,500 meters, Hoh Xil encompasses China's largest area of uninhabited land. It is home to several species of endangered wildlife, including Tibetan antelopes.

Edward Tasman Game and Hamish Henry Reid pose to take photos with their Chinese rescuers in a supply station in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, Qinghai province, Oct 23, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]