Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stated that the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has caused serious casualties, and he will cut short his official visit to Milan, Italy to return to Hong Kong to participate in response and aftermath efforts.
According to Sing Tao Headline, Paul Chan, who is currently visiting Milan, will depart for Hong Kong immediately after giving a speech at a forum on the morning of the 27th local time, to join the HKSAR government's response and aftermath work.
He revealed that, in response to this serious incident, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will hold a moment of silence during a forum promoting Hong Kong's strengths on Thursday morning Milan time, to mourn the victims of the accident.
Paul Chan said that the most important things at present are to fully extinguish the fire, treat the injured, search for missing persons, and provide support to affected citizens to help everyone through this difficult period. He also expressed his deepest condolences to all the victims and the firefighter who died in the line of duty, and extended his sincerest sympathies to their families.