Thirty-six people have died and dozens are injured after a ferry collided with a boat carrying passengers to see a huge fireworks display in Hong Kong harbour.
Search teams rushed to the scene off Lamma Island at around 8.20pm local time, as the city celebrated China's National Day.
It is not known if there are any Australian casualties.
DFAT advises those concerned about relatives and friends should first try and make contact with them directly before calling the department’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre of 1 300 555 135.