Number of S. Koreans in Syria drops to 66: foreign ministry

SEOUL, July 17 (Yonhap) -- The number of South Koreans in Syria decreased to 66 as the country was hit by escalating violence between anti-government protesters and government forces, the South Korean foreign ministry said Sunday.
Out of 109 South Korean nationals who were staying in Syria for study, business and other purposes, 43 left over the past month, bringing the tally of South Korean residents to 66, the ministry said.
Forty-one people were killed Friday in the Syrian government's bloody crackdown on a large-scale anti-government rally. No South Korean casualties were reported, according to the Seoul government.
"There have been no South Korean casualties reported up until now, but that doesn't mean they are safe. We keep recommending South Korean nationals to voluntarily return home and refrain from going outside," a ministry official said, asking not to be named because he is not authorized to talk directly to media.
"We have no immediate plan to enact a travel ban on Syria, but we're carefully watching the situation," the official said.
On April 25, Seoul extended its travel restrictions to all parts of Syria, recommending South Korean nationals to cancel or postpone travel to the country and those staying there to leave unless there is an emergency.