July 15, 2016
No. 157
Soon after a truck plowed through a crowd causing many casualties in Nice, France, the ROC Office of the President conveyed its deepest condolences to the victims and their families, and expressed support for the government and people of France, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also promptly expressed its concern and condolences to the French Office in Taipei.
MOFA has activated its emergency procedures and instructed its representative office in France to establish a response task force to provide assistance to and account for the safety of ROC nationals in France, including students and tourist groups, as well as overseas compatriots, and to maintain close contact with relevant local law-enforcement organizations.
MOFA reminds ROC nationals traveling in France and other European countries to heed their personal safety and contact their families as soon as possible. MOFA and its relevant overseas missions will closely monitor related developments, confirm whether any ROC nationals have been affected, and provide timely consular updates. Citizens planning travel to France, particularly Nice, for business or tourism in the near future, as well as overseas compatriots and students in France, are advised to remain vigilant when visiting public or crowded venues. They are advised to avoid shopping centers, large-scale activities, airports, transport terminals, and other areas frequented by large crowds, as well as mass transport systems with enclosed spaces such as the metro.
ROC nationals currently in France requiring emergency assistance can call the representative office’s emergency hotline at (002-33) 680-074-994 (or 0680-074-994 for local calls). Alternatively, travelers’ relatives in Taiwan (or travelers themselves) can leave a note on a message board on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website (http//:www.boca.gov.tw) to ask about (or confirm) their well-being. (E)