British School Runaways Found in Caribbean Sun

Two 16-year-olds who ran away from a top British boarding school have been found safe and well in the Dominican Republic, police and the school said Monday.

Edward Bunyan and Indira Gainiyeva disappeared from the highly-regarded Stonyhurst College in Lancashire, northwest England, on January 13.

They took a taxi to Manchester Airport, swapping the English winter weather for the Caribbean sun.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "The students have thankfully been located safe and well at a hotel in the Punta Cana area of the Dominican Republic," a beach resort popular with tourists.

"Plans are now being made for their safe return to the UK.

"They will be given a welfare de-brief by police following their arrival back in this country."

Gainiyeva, who hails from Kazakhstan, turned 17 on Friday.

Stonyhurst College, a day and boarding school, was founded in 1593, and bills itself as one of Britain's leading Catholic boarding schools.

Full boarding fees cost £29,439 ($48,400, 35,700 euros) per annum.

"We are absolutely delighted to be able to report that the two missing pupils have been found safe and well," said its head Andrew Johnson.

"They are currently in the care of the police and a family member.

"Over the coming days we will be having discussions with the two young people and their families about what has happened and also what happens next.

"However, it is simply too early at the moment to speculate about the future."