Rescuers on Saturday found 11 foreign climbers, who had been missing on the slopes of the Chilean volcano Puyehue, some 800 kilometres south of Santiago. A police helicopter found the missing climbers below the peak of the volcano, Cooperativa radio reported quoting authorities, according to AP. The eight Israelis, two Swiss nationals and one US citizen should have made it to the refuge on the mountain, in the Chilean Lakes Region, on Tuesday. They were found in good health and were to begin the climb down the 2,200-metre volcano after a good meal. The area has been affected by bad weather in recent days, increasing the difficulty of rescue efforts. The expedition, travelling in two groups, left on April 5 and 6 on its way to the Puyehue summit. For safety reasons, all climbers must organize their trip through an authorized adventure tourism firm, and must carry with them safety gear like tents, food and appropriate clothing. In December 2006, three Israeli tourists got lost in the same area and were rescued five days later at an altitude of 1,500 metres. The identities of the lost climbers have not been released. -- SPA
