Deadly fire at a shoe factory in China, death toll rises to at least 28 victims

A major fire at a shoe factory in the city of Jinjiang, in Fujian province in eastern China, killed at least 28 people.

The blaze broke out around midday on Thursday at the Huiteng Shoes factory, while authorities said that for several hours there were fears that people were still trapped inside the building.

According to Chinese state media, several people were initially reported to be isolated inside and unable to make contact with rescue teams. Meanwhile, authorities have opened an investigation to clarify the cause of the fire.

In footage broadcast by Chinese state television CCTV, firefighters were seen trying to bring the flames under control, while thick clouds of black smoke poured from the multi-story building. The video also showed people sheltering near windows and on the roof of the building while the lower floors were engulfed in flames.

China’s Ministry of Emergency Management announced that 183 firefighting and rescue personnel, along with 35 fire engines, were involved in the operation to extinguish the blaze, find survivors, and assist the injured.

Chinese President Xi Jinping described the incident as a tragedy with “heavy loss of life” and called for the circumstances that led to the fire to be uncovered as quickly as possible.

“The cause of the accident must be identified as soon as possible and those responsible must be held fully accountable in accordance with the law,” Xi said.

This incident comes at a time when China has intensified fire safety inspections following several tragic cases recorded in recent months in residential buildings and other facilities across the country.