16 July 2016
Regarding the latest situation in Turkey, the Immigration Department (ImmD) today (July 16) had immediately contacted the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, the Chinese Embassy in Turkey (CE), the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Istanbul (CG), and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) to follow up the incident.
As at 4pm today, the ImmD has received 12 assistance requests involving 27 Hong Kong residents. They revealed that they were now staying in the safe place; however, due to the temporary cancellation of the flight from Turkey to Hong Kong, they wished to obtain the latest information of the airport and flight. The ImmD had reminded the assistance seekers in Turkey and their families to attend to personal safety and provided them with the latest information, including the emergency contact of CE. According to the TIC, there are currently two group tours involving more than 30 people being safe in Istanbul.
Besides, the ImmD had issued the relevant information to remind those who had registered the “Registration for Outbound Travel Information” and are currently in Turkey or ready to travel to Turkey within two weeks to attend to personal safety. CE and the ImmD appeal to the Hong Kong residents in Turkey to stay in safe places and stay calm. Hong Kong residents who plan to visit Turkey or are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid travelling to places of large gatherings of people and pay attention to announcements by local authorities. The ImmD will remain in close contact with the aforesaid authorities, assistance seekers and their families to monitor the latest situation and follow the incident.
Hong Kong residents in Turkey who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868 or contact the Chinese Embassy in Turkey consular protection hotline (90) 5388215530 or Consulate-General in Istanbul consular protection hotline (90) 5313389459.