U.K. police: Olympic torch bearer, 15, missing

In this handout image provided by LOCOG, the Olympic Flame during a hand-over on the leg between Cardigan/Aberteifi and Brynhoffnant on May 27, 2012 in Wales. / Photo by LOCOG via Getty Images)

(AP) LONDON - British police are looking for an Ethiopian teenager who has gone missing after taking part in the Olympic torch relay.

Nottinghamshire police said Friday they are concerned for 15-year-old Natnael Yemane, who vanished from his hotel in Nottingham, in central England. He left the hotel Thursday evening, shortly after carrying the torch and did not return.

Yemane is an Ethiopian national who came to England to join the torch relay as part of an international program to encourage children to play sports. Police said in a statement that Yemane, who has family in London, does not speak much English.

Some 8,000 torchbearers are carrying the Olympic flame on an 8,000-mile (12,900-kilometer) journey around Britain and Ireland before the 2012 London Games start on July 27.

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Olympic flame heads to London

[skunk_monkey]

he has been found safe and well.. he took a break from the event to mug someone.