3 Chinese tourists rescued in Australia's Blue Mountains

Three Chinese tourists, lost in the Blue Mountains bushland in Australia's New South Wales (NSW), have been rescued by police and paramedics, the NSW Police said on Thursday.

Police said they received reports at 10:15 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday that three men got lost while bushwalking.

The three bushwalkers from China, aged in their twenties, used a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) to alert emergency service when they lost their way on Wednesday night, police said.

"Two officers from the Blue Mountains Rescue Squad and Specialty Casual Access Team paramedics drove to Medlow Gap before making an exhaustive trek on foot through rugged terrain of more than 5 km," the NSW Police said in a statement.

After scaling near-vertical cliffs, officers reached the men about 6 a.m. (local time) on Thursday.

The trio were uninjured despite suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion.

An ambulance helicopter was called to assist and arrived at the scene about 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, winching the men to safety, police said.

Sergeant Ian Colless from the Blue Mountains Rescue Squad praised the preparedness of the bushwalkers.

"They notified us of their trip intention and they were carrying a PLB. They may have been lost but their preparation may well have saved their lives," Colless said.

"It is a timely reminder of the dangers of bushwalking in summer months; heat exhaustion and dehydration can happen to even the most experienced," he added.