A casino in Kokang region, northern Myanmar. — Photo from Fully Light Golden Triangle Media

HÀ NỘI — Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Phạm Thu Hằng on Thursday confirmed that there are over 700 Vietnamese citizens that have been identified among the foreigners rescued from scam casino operations in northern Myanmar.

In the press briefing in Hà Nội, Hằng noted that these citizens are currently in temporary safe zones, with some others still having their identities verified.

According to the information provided by the Embassy of Việt Nam and Myanmar, the situation in a few regions in northern Myanmar near the border with China is witnessing complicated developments, with local conflicts breaking out.

Spokesperson Hằng noted that since receiving information about the case, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed the Embassy of Việt Nam in Myanmar to closely cooperate with local authorities and to request that they provide safety and basic accommodations for the Vietnamese citizens, as well as facilitate the movement and evacuation of these people from the areas of conflict.

The foreign ministry has worked with the Vietnamese representative missions in Myanmar and China to arrange their support in the matter.

The ministry is also working with domestic agencies as well as our agencies abroad to ensure the safety of the people, and to proceed with evacuation plans as soon as possible.

The task force charged with the case has been working around the clock, Hằng said, adding that the diplomatic missions will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep contact with the Vietnamese community currently in the safe zone and ready citizen protection measures as soon as the plans have been finalised with the Myanmar authorities on travelling arrangements. — VNS