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Graveyard posed by model Graveyard via Shutterstock

Grave robbers rescued (and then arrested) in China

The men were found in a grave amid a cluster of emperors’ mausoleums and tombs dating from the Tang Dynasty.

TWO GRAVE ROBBERS trapped underground in a Chinese Tang dynasty tomb for more than 24 hours were rescued by police, who promptly arrested them, state media reported today.

The pair were among five suspected thieves in the northern province of Shaanxi who were excavating a grave which was among a cluster of emperors’ mausoleums and tombs dating from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).

Two of them became stuck in a chamber 20 metres (66 feet) underground, the official Xinhua news agency said, adding they feared the structure could collapse or they could suffocate from a lack of oxygen.

It quoted police officer Sun Weidong as saying rescuers pulled them out through a crack at the top of the chamber. All five suspects were detained, it added.

Tomb raiding occurs with some regularity in China, whose ancient civilisation has left a wealth of relics buried underground. Police investigated 451 tomb-raiding cases in 2010, state media said.

- © AFP, 2013

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    Mute J. Dunn
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 3:45 PM

    Additional terracotta soldiers have now been posted at the site.

    58
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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 4:12 PM

    They were in a very grave situation…

    Okay, where’s my coat?

    56
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    Mute Brendan Cunningham
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 5:26 PM

    Don’t forget your cap and gloves.

    20
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    Mute Abbi Cranky
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 5:48 PM

    Graveyard posed by model!

    51
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    Mute Stephen Duggan
    Favourite Stephen Duggan
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 3:54 PM

    Grave robbing really is a dead end job,although its kinda surprising the amount of people that are dying to get into it. I know,I’ll get my coat,couldn’t help it :).

    35
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    Mute Brendan Harlowe
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 4:06 PM

    Ah stop Duggan when your in a hole!

    24
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    Mute ivy mike
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 3:36 PM

    Two in one

    Grave?

    10
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    Mute micheal285
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 6:05 PM

    Shud have left them there

    8
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    Mute Paddy O'Reilly
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 3:47 PM

    Was Lara Croft among those detained?

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    Mute Chris Doherty
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 6:41 PM

    No it was indiana jones,

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    Mute Robert Anthon.
    Favourite Robert Anthon.
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 5:53 PM

    Lara croft mmmm, buried mmmm, wake up, wake up. Doh.

    5
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