A tourist from Austria was found alive at a village in Indonesia's North Sumatra province Wednesday, eight days after he began climbing a nearby mountain and was then declared missing by the hotel he stayed in.

 

Franz Resch, 46, was in critical condition when he was found by villagers at Sibolangit subdistrict, Deli Serdang regency, near the Sibayak Mountain at 14:30 local time (07:30 GMT), reported leading news website Detikcom.

 

Upon finding him, villagers reported to local police, who identified him as the missing tourist and whisked him to the nearest hospital.

 

"He is very weak and now being treated at a hospital," local officer Ricky Wakanno was quoted as saying.

 

Franz, reported to be a journalist, has left traces including boots, soft drink cans, books and mattress. Rescuers did find the clues, but not him.

 

He left the hotel Jan. 23 and three days later the hotel management reported that he was missing.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2007)