All Rio Tinto Plc (RTP) staff in China have been accounted for, according to a person familiar with the matter Thursday.

When asked about research staff, the person said that an earlier report by the Australian Financial Review wasn't entirely correct.

Some were still in China, the person said.

The Australian Financial Review said Thursday that Rio Tinto pulled out of China on Wednesday all staff involved in research work on the iron ore and steel industry.

Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu, an Australian, has been detained in China since July 5 along with three Chinese colleagues on accusations that they engaged in espionage and bribery to obtain "state secrets" relating to iron ore price talks.

-By Chuin-Wei Yap, Dow Jones Newswires; 8610 6588 5848; chuin-wei.yap@dowjones.com