Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan cut short a business trip to London following a devastating fire in Jordan on Tuesday. Chan was meeting with family office representatives to promote investment opportunities in Hong Kong when he made the decision to return home, according to reports from Yahoo Finance and Hong Kong 01. The blaze, which erupted at the New Lucky House building – a notorious hub for unlicensed hostels and cubicle apartments – has prompted immediate concern from government officials and is expected to trigger a review of building safety standards across the territory.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has cut short his overseas trip to Italy following a severe fire in the Tai Po Hong Fokè‹‘ residential complex, returning to the city to assist with the response and recovery efforts.
The fire, which reached Level 5 – the highest severity – resulted in 44 fatalities and 58 injuries, according to reports from Yahoo Finance and Hong Kong 01. Chan was in London meeting with representatives from family offices to promote investment opportunities in Hong Kong when he made the decision to return.
Prior to the emergency, Chan had been actively engaging with the financial community in the United Kingdom, outlining Hong Kong’s advantages and encouraging the establishment of offices within the region. Sin Chew Daily reported that Chan also had discussions with Wei Yi Xin, a prominent figure in the financial sector.
The Financial Secretary’s early return underscores the gravity of the situation and the government’s commitment to managing the aftermath of the fire. The incident is likely to prompt reviews of building safety regulations and emergency response protocols in Hong Kong. The scale of the tragedy highlights the importance of robust safety measures in densely populated urban areas.
Ming Pao initially reported the news of Chan’s altered travel plans.
