BEIJING (Web Desk) –A devastating fire swept through a shoe manufacturing factory in eastern China’s Fujian province on Thursday, killing at least 28 people and leaving authorities searching for possible survivors as hundreds of emergency personnel battled the massive blaze.
The fire broke out around midday at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang, one of China’s largest footwear manufacturing centres. Thick black smoke quickly engulfed the multi-storey industrial building, trapping workers inside and triggering one of the country’s deadliest industrial disasters of the year.
Emergency services immediately launched a large-scale rescue operation, deploying more than 500 firefighters and rescue workers to contain the flames and evacuate employees from the burning factory.
State media reported that many workers were forced to seek refuge on upper floors and the rooftop while firefighters struggled to reach them through smoke-filled corridors and blocked stairwells.
Television footage showed firefighters directing powerful water jets toward the building as dense smoke poured from shattered windows. Rescue personnel worked for hours to bring the fire under control while searching every floor for trapped workers.
Authorities confirmed that at least 28 people lost their lives in the incident. Several others sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Officials said the number of casualties could change as rescue teams continue searching the damaged building.
According to local authorities, more than 230 workers and delivery personnel were present at the factory when the fire erupted. While over 200 people managed to escape safely, officials continued efforts to determine the whereabouts of those initially reported missing.
Fire officials said rescue operations were complicated because large quantities of shoe materials, packaging supplies and highly flammable industrial adhesives blocked emergency exits and staircases.
The combustible materials also accelerated the spread of flames, making it difficult for firefighters to reach workers trapped on higher floors.
Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire.
Investigators have launched a comprehensive inquiry to establish how the blaze started and whether any safety regulations were violated.
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed deep concern over the tragedy and described the loss of life as severe. He directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable under the law.
Following the disaster, police detained the owner of the factory along with several other individuals linked to the company’s operations. Authorities also froze the company’s financial accounts while investigators collect evidence.
Officials from China’s emergency management authorities ordered rescue teams to continue searching for anyone who may still be trapped inside the damaged structure while ensuring injured workers receive immediate medical care.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns about workplace safety standards in China’s manufacturing sector.
Industrial accidents continue to occur despite repeated government campaigns aimed at strengthening safety inspections and improving compliance with workplace regulations.
China has experienced several deadly industrial disasters over the past year, including explosions at chemical plants, factory fires and mining accidents that have claimed dozens of lives.
Last year, authorities launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate fire hazards in industrial facilities and high-rise buildings following several major fires that resulted in significant casualties.
Safety experts say many manufacturing facilities continue to face risks associated with overcrowded workspaces, blocked emergency exits, inadequate fire protection systems and poor storage of flammable materials.
Jinjiang is internationally known as one of China’s leading footwear manufacturing centres, producing shoes for both domestic and global markets. Thousands of factories operate across the region, employing large numbers of workers involved in footwear production.
The latest disaster has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of industrial safety regulations and more frequent inspections of factories handling combustible materials.
Authorities said investigations will examine the factory’s fire prevention systems, emergency evacuation procedures and overall compliance with workplace safety requirements.
Rescue operations remained underway late Thursday as emergency personnel continued cooling damaged sections of the building and searching for any remaining victims.
Government officials pledged full support for affected families while promising that the investigation’s findings would be made public after completion of the preliminary inquiry.
