HEADLINE-CALAMITY | (UPDATE) Taiwan’s earthquake:

HÀ NỘI — There has not been any information on casualties among Vietnamese citizens living or visiting Taiwan (China) following a deadly earthquake that devastated the island.

Việt Nam’s Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei said no Vietnamese are among the people killed or injured following the biggest earthquake seen in Taiwan in 25 years.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed the office in Taipei to quickly contact local authorities and the Vietnamese community to obtain information and promptly respond to the situation.

The ministry also ordered Vietnamese representative agencies in Japan and the Philippines to be ready to prepare citizen protection plans after the governments of these countries issued tsunami warnings.

Following the directions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnamese representative agencies in relevant areas will continue to closely monitor the situation, keep in close contact with the Vietnamese community and be ready to deploy protection measures if needed.

Vietnamese citizens who need help can contact Việt Nam’s Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei at phone number +886 933262836 or the citizen protection hotline of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs at phone number +84 981 84 84 84.

Travel agencies in HCM City said the earthquake did not affect their tourism plans, Phụ Nữ TP HCM (HCM City Women) newspaper reported.

Phạm Anh Vũ, communications director of Viet Media Travel, said the company had a tourist group returning from Taiwan on Wednesday morning and plans to send three other groups to Taiwan on Thursday.

On Wednesday morning, many travel companies in HCM City reported that their tourist groups already in Taiwan were not seriously affected by the earthquake.

A Vietravel representative said tourist groups scheduled to depart from April to June have not had any requests to postpone or cancel tours. Vietravel is also ready to assist tourists in adjusting their tour schedules.

A representative of Saigontourist said to ensure the best conditions for organising tours and serving tourists, in case of safety, the company will adjust the tour departure time.

Taiwan’s biggest earthquake in at least 25 years killed nine people on Wednesday, injuring more than 800, while 50 went missing en route to a national park, authorities said, as rescuers used ladders to bring others to safety, Reuters reported. — VNS