A group of "about" 15 British tourists were out of reach on Tuesday morning in Wenchuan, the epicenter of a strong earthquake that struck southwest China Monday, said the Sichuan provincial emergency management office.

A spokesman with the office said more than 2,000 tourists including the British were stranded in the Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Aba as of 8:20 AM on Tuesday.

He said the British tourists were likely in Wolong, which is known for China Wolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center.

The spokesman also said a tourist coach was buried by a landslide in Maoxian County, Aba Prefecture, leaving 37 people dead.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2008)