In a recent powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Hualien, Taiwan, over 900 Hong Kong tourists have been reported safe. Hualien is a popular destination among Hong Kong travelers. The Hong Kong Tourism Industry Council has confirmed that approximately 30 tour groups, totaling 900 individuals, are currently in Taiwan. However, only 2 to 3 of these groups are located in Yilan, with no groups in Hualien.
The council has received inquiries from independent travelers as well. The heads of two local travel agencies have confirmed the safety of their tour members in the affected areas and stated that they will assess the situation before deciding whether to continue with the itineraries.
In addition, the Immigration Department has received distress calls from 12 Hong Kong citizens in the region, but their safety has been confirmed. Mrs. Gianna Hsu Wong Mei-lun, Chairperson of the Travel Industry Council, disclosed that two package tour groups had originally planned to visit Hualien but have revised their itineraries due to the earthquake. They have chosen not to proceed with their trips to the affected area. She further mentioned that around ten more tour groups are scheduled to depart over the next two days, none of which include visits to Hualien.
WWPKG, another travel agency, shared a report from their tour leader regarding a group staying near Hualien in Yilan. The leader reported that minor tremors started in the early hours of the morning and became more noticeable by 8 am. During the earthquake, some group members were having breakfast in the hotel’s dining area. Despite a subsequent power outage in the hotel, the entire group remained safe. They departed for Taipei after 10 am and are expected to arrive at the airport by 4 pm.
EGL Tours announced the cancellation of their April tour groups to Hualien and offered customers the option to transfer to alternative destinations or receive full refunds. EGL Tours also stated that they have a total of 11 tour groups, consisting of approximately 300 individuals, in Taiwan. They assured that all group members are safe and emphasized the importance of assessing the post-earthquake situation before finalizing any travel plans.
Furthermore, EGL Tours revealed that they have a cruise tour group in Japan, which was originally scheduled to dock at Ishigaki Island in Okinawa today. While the safety of the group members is confirmed, the situation at the pier remains unknown, and arrangements are being made.
台灣大地震 逾900名香港旅客安全 旅行社取消四月團
最近台灣花蓮發生7.3級強烈地震，報告道超過900名香港遊客安全。 花蓮是香港旅客的熱門目的地。 香港旅遊發展局證實，目前約有30個旅遊團、900人在台。 不過，其中只有2至3個團體位於宜蘭，而花蓮沒有任何團體。
委員會也收到了獨立旅行者的詢問。 當地兩家旅行社負責人已確認受影響地區的團員安全，並表示將評估情況後再決定是否繼續行程。
此外，入境處已接獲12名區內香港公民的求救電話，但已確認他們安全。 旅遊業議會主席許黃美倫透露，有兩個旅行團原計劃前往花蓮，但因地震而更改行程。 他們選擇不再前往受影響地區。 她也提到，未來兩天還將有大約十個旅行團出發，其中沒有前往花蓮的行程。
另一家旅行社WWPKG分享了一份來自其領隊的報告，內容是關於宜蘭花蓮附近的一個團體的住宿。 領導報告說，輕微震動從凌晨開始，到上午 8 點變得更加明顯。 地震期間，一些小組成員正在飯店的用餐區吃早餐。 儘管酒店隨後停電，但整個團隊仍然安全。 他們上午10點後出發前往台北，預計下午4點抵達機場。
東瀛旅遊宣布取消四月前往花蓮的旅行團，並為客戶提供轉乘至其他目的地或獲得全額退款的選擇。 東瀛旅行社也表示，他們在台灣共有11個旅行團，約300人。 他們保證所有團體成員都是安全的，並強調在最終確定任何旅行計劃之前評估震後局勢的重要性。
此外，東瀛旅遊透露，他們在日本有一個郵輪旅行團，原定今天停靠沖繩石垣島。 雖然確認了小組成員的安全，但碼頭的情況仍不明，正在做出安排。
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