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British cavers expelled from Mexico

British cavers expelled from Mexico

A group of British cavers will return home today after being released by Mexican immigration authorities.

The 13 men were questioned over alleged visa irregularities after six of the team became trapped underground for over a week.

The incident sparked a diplomatic row when Mexican president Vicente Fox demanded an explanation in light of reports that the cavers were on a military exercise.

Immigration officials questioned the men for three days to ascertain whether or not they had been in the country on the wrong type of visas.

Some Mexican newspapers suggested that the cavers were on a military mission looking for uranium.

While some of the group are members of the military, the British government has maintained throughout that they were simply on holiday.

Officially, the men are being expelled from Mexico, but will be relieved to have avoided possible fines or even prison sentences.

Having missed their flight home on Friday, they will return to the UK later today.