Factory fire kills at least 28 in China’s ‘shoe capital’
At least 28 people have died after a fire swept through a shoe factory in the south-eastern Chinese city of Jinjiang, according to the country’s state news agency.
Footage released by Xinhua showed thick black smoke billowing from the factory, while several people were seen stranded on the roof awaiting rescue.
Chinese President Xi Jinping described the incident as one that had resulted in “major casualties” and called for those responsible to be held “strictly accountable.”
Jinjiang, located in Fujian Province, is widely recognised as China’s “shoe capital” and is reported to produce about 20 per cent of the world’s sports footwear.
The fire broke out at the Huiteng Footwear factory at around midday local time (05:00 BST) on Thursday.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that hundreds of emergency responders were deployed to the scene, while more than 200 people were safely evacuated from the building.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of people injured.
Preliminary investigations indicate the blaze may have started on the ground floor of the factory, where flammable materials were reportedly being stored.
According to Xinhua, several individuals connected to the factory’s owners have been taken into custody, while the company’s bank account has been frozen as investigations continue.
The tragedy comes as China continues efforts to strengthen fire safety regulations following a deadly blaze that killed 168 people in several apartment buildings in Hong Kong last November, prompting a nationwide campaign to improve fire prevention in high-rise structures.
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