Vietnamese citizens at the Bavet Border Gate. — Photo tuoitre.vn

HÀ NỘI — At least 67 Vietnamese people fled a business premise in Bavet City in Cambodia on Saturday and attempted to return to Việt Nam, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They went towards the Bavet Border Gate, which leads to the Mộc Bài Border Gate in Tây Ninh Province in Việt Nam.

The business the Vietnamese citizens fled from is in Bavet Kandal Hamlet in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province. Leaders of Tây Ninh Province said that the business premise is a casino.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said that while fleeing, four were caught by the business.

Việt Nam has contacted the Cambodian authorities for information about the case, to verify the people’s identities, and carry out procedures to repatriate the citizens.

Việt Nam also requested Cambodia rescue the remaining people.

By late afternoon on Saturday, Cambodian police demanded the business hand over 11 more Vietnamese citizens, bringing the total number of people involved in the case to 67.

The citizens are being protected by Cambodian police.

The Vietnamese Embassy and border guards are coordinating with the Consular Department, the MOFA and Cambodian authorities to bring the citizens home as soon as possible.

The MOFA also directed the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia to ensure adequate living conditions for the citizens while they wait to return home.

Vietnamese agencies will continue to coordinate with Cambodian authorities to check whether Vietnamese citizens are still at the business or not, request an investigation into the case, and protect their legitimate rights.

Citizens who need assistance can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia: +855-23726274; the Consulate General in Sihanoukville at phone number: +855-34934039 or the Citizen Protection hotline +84-981 84 84 84.

Chairman of the Tây Ninh Province Nguyễn Thanh Ngọc told the Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper that, according to initial information, those people had a conflict with the business owner so they ran away. — VNS