The men from Mostyn, who were holidaying in Chengdu, in the Sichuan province of China, found themselves in the midst of the quake, which has claimed thousands of lives, while out walking on Monday.

The pair have been able to contact a friend, who asked not to be named but spoke to the Evening Leader this morning.

He said: "They were absolutely terrified as they felt the ripple."

After being left stranded for 24 hours in the devastated streets, the men finally returned to their hotel, which was still shaking, to collect their belongings and went out on to the shattered streets to find aid.

Luckily for the Mostyn pair, a friend from Prestatyn who lives in Chengdu had come to look for the men, and found them wandering the city streets desperate and in shock.

Both men are seasoned travellers, who do not wish to be named at this stage, but who have been to China on a number of occasions.

Their friend, who has travelled with them before, said: "I was supposed to be there with them and this is the first year I didn't go to Chengdu. They are unhurt and they have emailed and said they are in safe hands."

959 people are feared missing in the provincial capital after the 7.9 magnitude quake struck at 2.28pm local time (6.28am GMT) and was felt as far away as the Chinese capital Beijing and Bangkok in Thailand.

The official death toll stands at more than 13,000, but the figure is expected to rise dramatically, with tens of thousands of people missing in the affected region.

The men, who were due to return to the UK today, have been indoors since the quake as torrential rains have been making it impossible to get out.

Their friend said: "They have contacted the Sky News team and are trying so hard to get out of the country.

"The airport is closed because it was destroyed in the quake.

"I am staying by my phone and computer to hear what's going to happen to them and when they will be home."


Do you know anybody who has been affected by the Chinese earthquake?

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