Two Hongkongers were rescued Friday from one of the hotels attacked by militants in India, but three university students still could not be reached as of Friday.

According to the consulate-general of the People's Republic of China in Mumbai, two Hong Kong businessmen were rescued from the Oberoi Hotel, which had been seized by the militants Friday. They were both safe.

But three graduate students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who are participating in an exchange program in Ahmadabad and Hyderabad, could not be reached since the incident, the university said Friday.

People should avoid going to the terrorist-attacked Mumbai, Hong Kong's Travel Industry Council said yesterday.

As of 5 pm Friday, the Immigration Department had received 27 enquiries and four requests for assistance related to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. All requests are being followed up on.

Joseph Tung Yao-chung, executive director of Hong Kong's Travel Industry Council, said the council has not received any calls for assistance, but it's gotten several enquiries about travel arrangements.

"All tours are reported safe, and they will continue as scheduled, as they only passed by Mumbai to other places," he said.

According to the council, there won't be any tours to Mumbai until next week.

Tung called on tourists to contact the agencies for further information.

In total, 35 Hongkongers, as part of two tour groups arranged by Hong Thai Travel Services, are still in India. A spokesperson said all tour members were safe, and they wouldn't be visiting Mumbai.

One of the tours returned Friday, while another planned to arrive at Hong Kong on Monday.

The agency would monitor the situation in India before making arrangements for the tour, which should set off on Dec 6.

Owing to the turmoil, some Indians are stranded in Hong Kong.

Akhilesh Ray, who sells garments, has been stuck at Hong Kong International Airport since Wednesday. He and five colleagues should have departed on Nov 26, but the flight was delayed.

"We have only HK$400, so we can only stay here," he said.

(HK Edition 11/29/2008 page1)