China shoe factory fire kills 28, Xi orders probe

By Lawrence Agbo

At least 28 people have died after a fire ripped through a shoe factory in eastern China’s Fujian province, prompting President Xi Jinping to order a full investigation into the tragedy.

The blaze broke out on Thursday at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city, with hundreds of firefighters and rescue personnel deployed to contain the inferno and search for trapped workers.

State media reported that thick smoke quickly engulfed the multi-storey building, forcing some workers to seek refuge on the roof and at windows as flames spread through the lower floors.

According to local fire authorities, blocked stairwells and exits filled with shoe materials hampered rescue operations, while adhesives and other manufacturing materials inside the factory fuelled the fire.

Describing the incident as one that caused “heavy human losses,” Xi called for intensified rescue efforts and ordered authorities to determine the cause of the fire.

“The cause of the accident should be identified as soon as possible and… those responsible must be strictly held accountable,” the Chinese president said.

China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said 183 firefighters and 35 emergency vehicles were deployed to the scene, adding that efforts continued to extinguish the blaze, rescue survivors and treat the injured.

Xi also urged local governments to strengthen industrial safety measures, noting that China has recorded several major industrial accidents this year.

The latest tragedy comes months after a series of deadly fires and industrial explosions across China, renewing concerns over workplace safety standards.