At least 28 people have died after a fire tore through a shoe factory in southeastern China, trapping hundreds of workers inside the multi-storey building. Authorities said more than 200 people escaped, while others were unable to get out before the blaze spread.
The fire broke out shortly after midday on Thursday at footwear manufacturer Huiteng in the city of Jinjiang, Fujian province, according to state news agency Xinhua.
A total of 239 people were inside the factory when the fire started. Authorities said 213 workers managed to escape, while two later died in hospital. Another 26 people, who had initially been reported missing, were later confirmed dead.
Videos broadcast by Chinese state media showed flames engulfing the factory as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Several workers could be seen stranded on the roof while firefighters battled the blaze below.
Fire crews continued working throughout the afternoon, although officials said the main flames had been brought under control by around 4pm local time. Thick smoke was still rising from the site hours later as firefighters continued to douse the building with water.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an all-out rescue effort, saying the fire had "caused significant casualties". He noted that the tragedy followed a series of deadly industrial accidents in recent months and called on authorities to hold those responsible "strictly accountable".
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire started on the ground floor of the factory.
Local officials said large quantities of highly flammable shoe-making materials and adhesives helped the flames spread rapidly through the building.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that the fumes at the scene were so strong they caused eye irritation, while firefighters said piles of stored materials blocking stairwells made rescue efforts more difficult.
Police have taken company executives and other relevant personnel into custody, while the firm's bank accounts have been frozen as the investigation continues.
Jinjiang, on China's southeastern coast, is one of the country's largest footwear manufacturing centres and is widely known as the country's "shoe capital".
According to official figures, the city's thousands of footwear companies produced more than 1.2 billion pairs of shoes in 2024, accounting for around one in every five pairs made worldwide.
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