A fire that swept through a shoe factory in eastern China on Thursday has killed at least 28 people, according to state media, after emergency crews rushed to control the blaze.
The fire broke out around noon (0400 GMT) at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city, Fujian province. Hours after the incident, authorities feared that several people could still be trapped inside the building.
Chinese President Xi Jinping described the incident as causing “heavy human losses”, while state news agency Xinhua later reported a preliminary death toll of 28.
Footage broadcast by state television CCTV showed firefighters using hoses to spray water on the exterior and interior of a large multi-storey white building as thick black smoke emerged from the structure.
During the fire, some people were seen seeking safety near windows and on the rooftop while flames spread through the lower floors. The Ministry of Emergency Management said 183 firefighters and rescue personnel, along with 35 vehicles, were deployed to the site.
Xi called for intensified search and rescue operations following the blaze.
Jinjiang fire chief Du Zhenzhou told state media that rescue teams faced difficulties reaching the upper floors because stairways and exits were blocked by shoe materials. He said the factory contained adhesives and other raw materials used in shoe production, which contributed to the intensity of the fire.
CCTV footage later showed the damaged building with broken windows and thick grey smoke rising from inside.
“The cause of the accident should be identified as soon as possible and those responsible must be strictly held accountable,” Xi said.
The Ministry of Emergency Management said the fire was being brought under control by late Thursday afternoon and called for “all-out” efforts to extinguish the blaze, locate any remaining survivors and provide medical assistance to the injured.
Xinhua reported that some people remained trapped and were “out of contact”.
Following the incident, Xi highlighted that China had experienced “several major industrial safety accidents” this year and urged authorities to learn lessons from such incidents.
“All regions and relevant departments must draw profound lessons from these incidents,” Xi said, adding that they should “implement rigorous and effective safety measures”.
