AT least 67 Vietnamese citizens fled a casino in Bavet City in Cambodia and attempted to return to Vietnam, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They went towards the Bavet Border Gate, which leads to the Moc Bai Border Gate in Tay Ninh Province in Vietnam.

The casino the Vietnamese citizens fled from is in Bavet Kandal Hamlet in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) on Saturday said while fleeing, four of them were caught by men working for the casino.

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

Vietnam also requested Cambodia to help rescue the remaining people. By late afternoon on Saturday, Cambodian police demanded the casino to hand over 11 more Vietnamese citizens, bringing the total number of people involved 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 told the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia to ensure adequate living conditions for the citizens while they wait to return home.

 - ANN