Tomb raiders attempt to rob grave of tycoon's wife

Police are hunting four tomb raiders who fled after they were caught attempting to break into the grave of tycoon Li Ka-shing's wife.

They were spotted at 11pm on Lunar New Year's Day by staff of the Hong Kong Buddhist Cemetery as they attempted to prise open the tomb of Li Chong Yuet-ming.

The suspects, who were armed with knives and guns, tied up two cemetery workers and robbed them of cash and valuables before breaking into the cemetery office, for a total haul of $70,000.

The tomb was damaged and some of its marble tiling removed.

Police officers sealed off the grave yesterday.

'A drill, a shovel and some workmen's gloves were found near the grave, which had been vandalised. We have contacted the [Li] family ... nothing had been stolen from the grave,' a police spokesman said.