Staff at the New York branch of the Department of Tourism are "traumatised" after buildings surrounding them were evacuated yesterday (THURS) afternoon because of possible bomb threats.

But despite the extreme circumstances, the New York office was complying with Government's requests to help Bermudians stranded overseas.

Director of Sales, North America Toby Dillas said: "Things in the office are really tense, and a lot of people are traumatised as a result of what has happened today."

"Grand Central, the Hyatt Hotel, the Chrysler Building - all of these buildings were evacuated prior to noon ... because of some threat of a bomb scare, from what I understand. These buildings are all within a quarter-mile of us, and the closest one is just 100 yards away," he added.

Mr. Dillas said the New York office is located on the same block as the Israeli Embassy and near the United Nations, and noted that working in such close proximity to such vulnerable facilities was taking a psychological toll on his staff.

"If these buildings are next door, we're bound to feel the effects, and everyone is really feeling uncomfortable because of the uncertainty of the situation," he said.

Although there are no thoughts of closing the office, Mr. Dillas said he has been doing evaluations with concerned staff members and offering them the option of leaving work.

But he assured there would be people to man the office, stating: "We have a responsibility to Bermuda, and we won't shrink from it."

Although the office does not have specific information about missing Bermudians, Mr. Dillas attempted to offer solace to those concerned that their relatives may have perished in Tuesday's disaster.

"I don't want to build hopes and be too optimistic, but there were a lot of victims treated in the hospitals without being identified ... there's a chance," he added.

So far, Mr. Dillas said the New York office had received calls from eight different cases of stranded Bermudians seeking assistance following the World Trade Center disaster.

And he anticipated that the longer that air travel to Bermuda was disrupted, the more Bermudians would require assistance.

The number of Bermuda residents abroad is not known, and the Department of Immigration said they were unable to calculate that number.

"That statistic just isn't counted," said Chief Immigration Officer Martin Brewer yesterday.

Mr. Brewer said that although all passengers leaving the Island fill out a departure card, the system is not computerised - and said it was not feasible to count the cards manually.

"The system is not set up to do that yet," he said, adding that he was unable to say when such a system would be in place.

In the meantime, the New York Tourism office is being used as a safe haven for some Bermudians stuck in the States - they were recently able to help one young student who was evacuated from her university.

"We assisted her with accommodation, food, and made sure she was comfortable ... she had lost her travel documents and we personally escorted her to the British Embassy," said Mr. Dillas.

"We're here for that reason, to do whatever we can do to help our fellow Bermudians and we'll do whatever it takes," said Mr. Dillas. "Under the circumstances, we're doing our best."