Tsunami

The number to ring to report a person missing in one of the areas affected by the tsunami is 020 7008 0000 (Central Casualty Bureau, run by the Metropolitan Police). People should also ring this number if a missing person is found alive. They should use this number only if they are concerned about the welfare of a UK national who they think may have been in one of the affected areas. This number should not be used for travel advice or flight information. Travel advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or by calling 0870 606 0290. Flight information is available from travel and airport operators.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has also launched a website (www.familylinks.icrc.org) to help people obtain information about family members in the affected region.

Families whose relatives are missing, believed dead, face having to wait seven years before death certificates can be issued (although the FCO has just announced that this period will be reduced in some cases). The delay will often cause practical difficulties with, for example, insurance and bank accounts. The Solicitors Pro Bono Group has offered to help relatives in this position. There is no contact telephone for this at present, but the group hopes to have the scheme operational by the week commencing 24 January and will post the number on its website, www.probonogroup.org.uk as soon as it is available. Although the solicitors are from firms in England and Wales, it is possible that someone might be able to help an enquirer from Scotland or N. Ireland.

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate website indicates that the UNCHR has recommended suspending removals from the UK of people to areas affected by the tsunami. People due to be removed from the UK may wish to check whether this might apply to them.

Disclaimer

All information provided on our news pages were intended to inform the reader of recent events and they should not be treated as legal advice or opinion. In particular the developments detailed in these stories will frequently be overtaken by future events.

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