Publications and Press Releases

16 July 2016

Regarding the latest situation in Turkey, the Immigration Department (ImmD) today (July 16) has immediately contacted the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong, 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 noon today, the ImmD has received nine assistance requests involving 18 Hong Kong residents. They revealed that they were now staying in safe places; however, due to temporary cancellation of flights from Istanbul to Hong Kong, they wished to obtain the latest information on 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 CE consular protection hotline: (90) 5388215530; CG consular protection hotline: (90) 5313389459.