Anthea Cheung So-may, the director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, noted the turnover in Lan Kwai Fong has increased by three percent over the past week.

“Tonight will see fewer customers as tomorrow is a weekday,” she said.

Cheung said that Lan Kwai Fong has set up emergency access and aid stations on-site, with safeguards from the police and Transport Department, urging the public not to worry about the stampede risk.

Several people said they would still attend the event despite the crowds.

“I will bring my two sons to feel the festive atmosphere," said a woman surnamed Wong who lives in Central, "but we will leave when the night comes, safety first.”

Separately, the Immigration Department said it is monitoring the development of the Itaewon stampede at the Halloween event last night.

On January 1 in 1993, a severe stampede happened in Lan Kwai Fong when thousands of people gathered in the street celebrating the countdown for the new year, during which 21 people died and 63 were injured.

As of 3pm today, no requests for assistance had been received from Hong Kong residents.