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The HKSAR government today (March 11) issued a red Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Japan. A government spokesman said, "A severe earthquake over magnitude 8 occurred near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. The Japanese government has issued a tsunami warning."
The spokesman added: "Hong Kong residents who intend to visit Japan should adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel. Those already there should attend to their safety."
The Security Bureau will continue to liaise with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo and the Chinese Embassy in Japan in monitoring the situation there. The Chinese Embassy in Japan has set up a hotline (81-3-34033064) to render assistance to Chinese citizens including Hong Kong residents. Any update will be issued through the media and the bureau's OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota).
Residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852)1868.
Ends/Friday, March 11, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:00
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