Hong Kong issues travel alert for France, warns against 'non-essential' trips to Paris

Hongkongers seeking assistance abroad can call the 24-hour ImmD hotline at +(852) 1868 or Chinese Embassy in France: +(33) 615742537.

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People mourn the dead at a makeshift memorial near the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, two days after a series of deadly attacks. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:45am, 14 Nov 2015Updated: 9:20am, 16 Nov 2015

Hong Kong hoisted an amber travel alert for France, urging Hong Kong residents to avoid non-essential travel to Paris and the Ile de France area.

The alert, the lowest of three risk warnings, is the first to be issued to a major western country for at least seven years.

In a statement the Security Bureau said: "Residents who plan to visit France 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 advice of the local authorities.

Pictures of victims are placed behind candles outside the Bataclan concert hall in Paris. Photo: AP

"Hong Kong residents should avoid non-essential travel to Paris and the Ile de France area."

READ MORE: Massacre in Paris: At least 120 killed and more than 200 injured in coordinated terror attacks, assailants 'neutralized'

Travel arrangements to Paris remain unaffected for tour groups and airlines flying between Paris and Hong Kong despite attacks. Dozens of Hong Kong tour groups to France will continue with their trips and flights to the French capital will continue to take-off.