Philippines: Foreign hikers saved after days-long search

Four foreign hikers who went missing in the central Philippines were rescued on Saturday, a day after two of their companions were also found safe.

Members of the group — which included Germans, British, Canadian and Russian nationals —  were hiking to Mount Talinis in Valencia on Wednesday when they got separated, local authorities said.

Two of the hikers were found on Friday at an impassable region near the volcano.

The last four men were rescued on Saturday morning at 9:44 am (0144 UTC) in the Amlan municipality of the Negros Oriental province.

Authorities said they were "found safe” in the vicinity of a hydro power plant and were being transported, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.

Bad weather and a tough trail

Investigator Leo Gil Villafranca said Philippine Army personnel found the hikers in a mountainous area with dense vegetation.

"They told us they survived by eating edible plants in the forest," he said, adding that the group members said they were lost because of the fog.

Police had also said earlier that weather likely played a role in the group becoming lost on what they described as a "difficult" trek in the mountainous area.

The men were taking the hike without a guide, reports said.

The days-long rescue operation was hindered by heavy rain.

Volunteers also flew drones to conduct an aerial search of the area.

Mount Talinis is the second highest mountain on the Negros Island.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic